The University of Colorado committee reviewing accusations that Professor Ward Churchill has plagiarized work and misrepresented himself as a Native American heard this afternoon from the ethnic studies teacher.
Churchill met with the committee today for the first time. Ultimately, the panel could recommend discipline or dismissal for the professor or simply clear his name.
The CU professor has been at the center of controversy since statements he made comparing some victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to a Nazi became public.
In the ensuing furor, CU began an investigation of Churchill that included allegations of plagiarism and of falsely identifying himself to be Indian. That inquiry is ongoing.
Churchill’s essay is not in itself a subject of the inquiry. University officials have ruled that the professor had a right to make the statements.
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians has issued conflicting statements on the issue of Churchill’s ethnicity.
Denver Post staff writer Amy Herdy contributed to this online report.
