Judge yet to decide on future of case
CU filed motions Tuesday requesting that Denver district Judge Larry Naves dismiss the lawsuit brought by former professor Ward Churchill.
“We’ve filed several motions to dismiss the entire case,” said university spokeswoman Michele McKinney. McKinney refused to comment further.
Judge Naves has yet to make a decision regarding the procession of the lawsuit.
Churchill’s essay comparing the World Trade Center victims to Nazi Adolf Eichmann sparked a debate resulting in an investigation by school officials.
After their investigation, the Board of Regents decided to fire Churchill over allegations of research misconduct. He was fired on July 24.
According to the university, the case cost $352,000.
Churchill filed suit against CU the day after being dismissed. The basis of Churchill’s case is that he was fired due to his socially unpopular views and that he did not receive due process.
“I think CU had the right to fire him, it was not based on First Amendment rights,” said 17-year-old freshman business major Justin Adkins.
Churchill is suing for unspecified damages, as well as legal costs. He also wants his job reinstated.
“If (Churchill) keeps bringing (the case) up, he is just going to make a fool of himself,” said Henry Kenyon, 19, a freshman economics major.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Cameron Naish at cameron.naish@colorado.edu.
