The trial in Ward Churchill's lawsuit against the University of Colorado got under way here last week with lawyers for the opposing sides painting starkly different pictures of both the controversial ethnic-studies professor and the circumstances surrounding his dismissal by the university in 2007. In delivering their opening remarks in a crowded…

Steven Bitterman was fired by his school after he offended his students for telling them that they could easily appreciate the biblical story of Adam and Eve if they considered it a myth. Several adjunct and full-time professors who work off the tenure track have been fired after saying something, as Mr. Bitterman did, that offended students or…

An assistant professor of finance, Chris Dussold was fired by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 2004 allegedly for copying another professor's teaching statement, but he believes he was dismissed because of a persistent rumor that he was sleeping with an undergraduate. A year later, Dussold discusses his crusade to restore his…

St. Bonaventure University fired a tenured professor accused of mistreating athletes and others, but faculty members see it as a flouting of normal procedures by the president. (EV)

Discusses how Sami Al-Arian, of the University of South Florida, may become the first tenured professor to lose his job for his views in the aftermath of September 11. Many faculty members say academic freedom will take a beating. (EV)

Describes how, at Southfield, Michigan's Lawrence Technological University, one professor is fighting an administration that he says keeps a hit list of enemies it wants to dismiss. (EV)

Discusses Michael Ardis, a professor who says historically black Morris College fired him because he "didn't stay in his place." (EV)

The American Association of University Professors has voted to add four institutions to its list of 47 censured colleges and universities, remove the University of Maryland from the list when its Board of Regents adopts procedures to safeguard academic freedom and tenure, and re-examine Northwestern University's case. (MSE)

Explores the story of a former mathematics profesor at Temple University who says he was fired because he upheld academic standards; the college says he graded too hard. (EV)

A popular and award-winning psychology professor and filmmaker has been found guilty of sexually harassing four former students who were afraid of losing employment. In addition, a trustee tried to discourage another graduate from becoming involved in the case. (MSE)

The American Association of University Professors believes its removal of six colleges from its censure list, the largest since 1975, illustrates the strength and power of its sanction. All of the institutions revised their policies to comply with association standards on dismissals, tenure, and other issues of academic freedom. (MSE)

While tenured professors at financially troubled institutions are facing hiring freezes, salary cuts, tight travel budgets, and reduced office help, four-year colleges and universities are doing whatever they can to avoid dismissing tenured faculty for financial reasons. Some institutions may be running out of alternatives. (MSE)

Removal of tenured college faculty can be a lengthy, expensive, and divisive process sometimes resulting in lawsuits. Institutions are examining what constitutes improper or unethical faculty behavior, appropriate cause for dismissal under tenure, and fair procedures for considering termination. Cases at Rutgers University (New Jersey) and the…

An appellate court found that a college faculty member's use of offensive language in class was unprofessional, interfered with instruction, and not protected by principles of free speech and academic freedom. (MSE)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This November 19, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Mr. Water" (Zaragoza); (2) "Philippine Government Shuts Down 23…