Brown said that the Churchill issue is not just about academic conduct
but about "the accountability that public universities must
demonstrate." Brown wrote, "Too often colleges and universities tend to
insulate themselves in ivy-covered buildings and have not been as
diligent as necessary to ensure that the academic enterprise is
conducted rigorously and honestly. This elitist attitude is simply
outdated. Our University has made tenure reforms - precipitated by the
Churchill case - that will ensure academic integrity."
Wow! Good for him. Good for the Regents. Life certainly is filled with
surprises. I never would have thought that Brown would take this on and
would make tenure reforms along the way.
Brown noted that the University of Colorado receives thousands of
dollars from Colorado taxpayers. In addition, the University receives
three times that amount from the Federal Government to conduct research.
He called Churchill's claims about free speech a smoke screen.
Churchill's attorney was on national television the day the Regents made
their decision. He was as arrogant as could be, claiming that a jury
will exonerate Churchill. Frankly, I doubt it. Hank Brown is a very
cautious man. He would not have recommended that Churchill be terminated
unless it were merited.
Could Brown set an example for other university presidents? Could
universities now enforce academic standards? One only can hope and pray
it will be so.