University of Colorado administrators plan to assign professor Ward Churchill at least one class this spring, when he planned to take a sabbatical to work on a book.
“My understanding is that he will be teaching in the spring semester, although the specific schedule has not been set,” CU spokeswoman Pauline Hale said.
Churchill had not been assigned any classes next semester because he received approval from arts and sciences dean Todd Gleeson last fall to take a sabbatical. Top administrators at the university withheld approval of the sabbatical after Churchill’s essay comparing Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist victims to a Nazi caused a national uproar in January and CU began an investigation into his work.
Churchill could receive a last-minute teaching assignment when the dean determines which classes are needed, based on student requests, Hale said. Gleeson referred questions to Hale.
Churchill declined to comment, saying it was a confidential personnel matter.
The university determined free-speech rights prevented Churchill from being punished because of the Sept. 11, 2001, essay, but the essay led to an investigation of his other writings.Tenured faculty are eligible to apply for a sabbatical after six years.
