Timeline of key events in the career of University of Colorado ethnic studies professor Ward Churchill, who began lecturing at the Boulder campus in 1978 and in 1991 was granted a tenured associate professorship:
2001:
— Sept. 11: Churchill writes an essay relating the terrorist attacks to U.S. abuses abroad. The essay refers to some World Trade Center victims as “little Eichmanns,” a reference to Adolf Eichmann, who carried out Adolf Hitler’s plan to exterminate European Jews during World War II.
2005:
— Jan. 27: In response to complaints that Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., has invited Churchill to appear on a panel, CU officials say they disagree with Churchill’s 2001 essay but that the professor has a right to express his views.
— Jan. 28: Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., says Churchill should apologize for his essay. Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., urges Churchill to resign.
— Jan. 31: Churchill resigns as chairman of the ethnic studies department but remains a professor with tenure.
— Feb. 1: Hamilton College cancels Churchill’s speaking appearance, citing security threats.
— Feb. 2: Gov. Bill Owens urges the university to fire Churchill. The state House denounces Churchill’s comments as “evil and inflammatory.” Churchill reports to authorities that someone has painted a swastika on his truck.
— Feb. 3: The CU Board of Regents issues an apology to “all Americans” for Churchill’s essay. Administrators announce they will review Churchill’s speeches and writings to determine whether he overstepped and whether that should be grounds for dismissal. The state Senate denounces Churchill’s comments.
— Feb. 28: An ad signed by 200 CU faculty members appears in the Boulder Daily Camera. It says the school should drop its inquiry into Churchill’s work and that the review was the result of political pressure, not any formal complaint of misconduct.
— March 3: CU President Elizabeth Hoffman says Churchill could be dismissed if the review uncovered misconduct, but not because of his statements.
— March 7: Saying questions about her leadership have made it difficult to solve the university’s problems, Hoffman announces she will resign. Churchill credits Hoffman with working to defend the principle of academic integrity.
— March 11: Amid speculation about a buyout, attorneys for Churchill and the regents confirm negotiations are under way.
— March 13: Most University of Colorado regents say they are opposed to offering Churchill a buyout offer.
— March 16: Churchill denies plagiarizing anyone’s work and said he has never physically threatened anyone.
— March 24: Acting CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano says an examination of Churchill’s essay concluded that the work is protected by the Constitution, but allegations that he committed plagiarism and that he misrepresented himself as an American Indian will be investigated further by a faculty committee.
— March 28: At least three CU professors charged with reviewing whether Churchill plagiarized or committed academic dishonesty sign petitions or make public statements questioning the case against him.
— May 25: Churchill meets with members of a peer review committee to personally respond to allegations of research misconduct and whether he misrepresented his Indian heritage.
— Aug. 18: Churchill says he plans to take a spring sabbatical to finish a book about the Black Panther party.
— Aug. 19: CU drops its investigation into Churchill’s heritage.
— Sept. 9: The CU faculty committee recommends a full investigation into allegations of research misconduct involving Churchill.
— Nov. 2: CU identifies five educators on the Standing Committee on Research Misconduct investigating allegations against Churchill.
2006:
— May 10: Attorney David Lane demands the University of Colorado drop its “latest round of witch hunting” or else face a federal lawsuit.
— May 16: The five-member investigative committee finds serious cases of misconduct in Churchill’s academic research. One member recommends firing Churchill, the others call for his suspension.
—June 13: The full research misconduct committee recommends firing Churchill.
—June 26: DiStefano notifies Churchill he plans to fire him. Churchill has 10 days to seek review from a faculty panel.
— July: Churchill asks the faculty panel, called the Privilege and Tenure Committee to review the findings.
2007:
— May: Earlier investigative findings upheld by CU’s Privilege and Tenure Committee, which splits on whether to fire Churchill.
— May 25: Brown recommends Churchill be fired.
— July 24: After meeting behind closed doors for more than 9 hours, the Board of Regents votes to fire Churchill.
Privilege and Tenure Committee upholds investigative committee but stops short of backing a recommendation to fire
