Chapela files lawsuit against
UC
Subject: Prof. Ignacio Chapela files lawsuit against UC
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:02:44 -0700
Dear friends and
colleagues,
Yesterday, embattled professor
Ignacio Chapela announced that he had filed a lawsuit with the
University of California, claiming that his denial of tenure was
directly related to his criticism of close University-corporate
relations. "It was time to open my case up to the purview of the
state of California, the nation and the world," Chapela said in a
press conference. "It is with happiness that I come to the court
to do what the university has not been able to do.... My hope is that
this action will open up the case to the public of Berkeley, this
country, and the world."
Prof. Chapela explains the contents
and motivation of his lawsuit at his new website for the Pulse of
Science project, http://www.pulseofscience.org .
Prof. Chapela emphasized that he has
been reluctant to move his struggle for tenure into the courtroom, and
that he believes that his action will help the University return to
its true mission. He also expressed frustration with a court deadline,
which forced him to make the filing this week.
Under an agreement reached with the
University in December, his tenure case is being partially
re-reviewed. It was returned to the final advisory committee. It was
at this stage in 2003 that original the "budget committee"
gave the only negative assessment of his tenure. That committee
included at least one member with close relations to the biotechnology
industry, and who had publicly criticized Prof. Chapela in the past.
The current budget committee includes all new members, and a new
Chancellor will now make the ultimate decision on the professor's
tenure.
In the meantime, Prof. Chapela
retains his position, although he is not teaching or supervising
graduate students. It is likely that the university administration
will reach its decision on tenure in June and, regardless of the
outcome, claim that the system has worked.
News Coverage:
San Francisco Chronicle
Oakland Tribune
Berkeley Daily Planet
Daily Californian
-------------------------------------------------------------
In December, we announced a rally to
support Prof. Chapela during his last scheduled day of teaching.
Approximately 200 supporters turned out, and marched to the
Chancellor's office to deliver statements of support for Prof.
Chapela, including the statement that many of you signed. We thank you
for you support!
News Coverage:
AP wire
SF Chronicle
Oakland Tribune
Berkeley Daily Planet
Daily Cal
Photos:
IndyMedia
