Thursday, December 2.1999
The University Daily Kansan
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Section A · Page 3
Faculty accuse University of retaliation
By Erinn R. Barcomb
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A committee of 17 University of Kansas journalism faculty voted Nov. 23 not to grant tenure to Mike Cuenca, assistant professor of journalism.
Cuenca is one of five current and former University faculty who have filed federal or state complaints or lawsuits based on racial discrimination. Cuenca is half white, but his father was a Filipino of Spanish decent. He said he was seeking $1.3 million.
"I want restitution," Cuenza said. "I want this to be fixed. I want to see that the policies and procedures are changed to prevent this kind of victimization of people."
Cuenca said he thought his October 1998 lawsuit had affected the tenure decision, and the decision was in retaliation.
This is Cuenca's sixth year teaching at the school. He said when he began he was told in order to receive tenure he would have to complete one major research/creative project, and maintain a satisfactory record of teaching and serving the school, University and profession.
Ted Frederickson, professor of journalism and committee
Cuenca counts among his accomplishments the publication of two books about computer graphic programs and two more in the works.
member, said he could not comment on Cuenca's case, but he could comment about the process in general.
"This is something people take very seriously." Frederickson said. "It's important that people get treated fairly."
Cuenca said retaliation was a big problem at the University.
rederickson said a committee of peers, every tenured faculty member in the school, considered student evaluations, faculty observations and published material.
Jimmy Gentry, dean of journalism, said he did not think the issue of retaliation existed in the school.
Dimitrios Dendrinos, a tenured professor who has
been at the University for 25 years, filed a discrimination complaint with the state in October 1998. Dendrinos, professor of architecture and urban design, said he also thought he was retaliated against.
He filed his second complaint with the Kansas Human Rights Commission on the basis of retaliation last April.
Ray Pierotti, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and associate professor of environmental studies, filed a linked lawsuit with his wife, Cynthia Annett, former assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Pierotti, who is Native American, thinks his wife, who is white, was denied
tenure twice because she was in an interracial relationship.
Marie Aquilino, former assistant professor of art history, also filed a federal complaint.
"The common thread is that we are all very good at what we do but have been singled out because we are not part of the mainstream culture," Cuenca said.
Frederickson said that for the tenure denial to be final, the decision would go before a University committee and could be reversed by the chancellor.
Cuenca has three semesters left to teach.
Edited by Katrina Hull
Regents to face tough road ahead
Governor's budget makes new objectives hard to accomplish
By Clay McCuskin
wrinner@ksan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Board of Regents has adapted to the sweeping changes made to its power during the summer but faces an uncertain budgetary future.
On July 1, the nine Regents assumed responsibility for all 37 post-secondary institutions in the state -- including community colleges and technical schools. Previously they had governed only the University of Kansas, Kansas State, Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Wichita State universities.
Kim Wilcox, executive director of the Regents and a former KU communications professor, said the transitions had gone well.
"I think everyone is pleased and excited with the progress we've made," Wilcox said. "At the same time I think everyone has great expectations."
These expectations include success in the upcoming legislative session, where the Regents will face stiff competition for dwindling state funds. Duane Goossen, budget director for Gov. Bill Graves, did not increase funding for higher education in
his recommendations to the governor last month.
"It's clearly going to be a very difficult year," Wilcox said. "The legislature is going to face some very tough decisions."
Wilcox said the argument for greater funding of the system was simple.
"Higher education is the key to our future as individual Kansans and as a state as a whole economically," he said.
Other changes to the board included the appointment of five new Regents, the division of those Regents into three smaller commissions and the consolidation of some 25 staff members into a single office.
With all 37 colleges in the state reporting to a single authority, Wilcox said communication between the institutions was easier.
"I think the new organizational structure allows groups that might not have talked before to talk with each other." Wilcox said.
Wilcox said he thought the Regents' mission would continue to grow.
This discussion led to a merger proposal for Fort Hays State and Pratt Community College. The Commission on Higher Education Coordination — a group of three Regents — discussed the idea Tuesday in Topeka and decided to establish further guidelines before proceeding with the combination of schools.
"Right now we're still working hard on deciding policies and procedures," Wilcox said. "Once these are established and in place, I think the board will move into
Bill Docking, Arkansas City banker and chairman of the Regents, was cautiously optimistic about the progress made during the last five months. Docking was one of four Regents carried over from the previous incarnation of the board.
more of a leadership role, not just in higher education, but in the state."
"We've got the new system off to a positive start," he said. "The 37 institutions are all in the process of coming together and realizing we're one system." •
Docking said the Regents' dedication was shown at Tuesday's meeting of the Higher Education commission. Only three Regents serve on the commission, but seven showed up for the meeting.
"I think it's indicative of how involved the members of the board are," Docking said.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway shared the optimism and concerns of Wilcox and Docking.
The prognosis for the new Board of Regents is very good," Hemenway said. "It's unfortunate that at the very moment they started, we have this fiscal shortfall."
A rose by any other name
— Edited by Chris Hutchison
Members of the Montague and Capulet families clash in the first act of Romeo and Juliet. Actors staged the play last night at Hashinger Hall. Another performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Hashinger theater. Photo by Lucas W. Krump/KANSAN
Alcohol fogs victim's recall of stabbing
By Kate Hollar
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Rv Katie Hollar
University of Kansas employee Aron Guthrie was having one of those days Aug. 20.
One of those days, he said, that made him want to drink.
At a jury trial yesterday at Douglas County court, Guthrie recalled the night of Aug. 20 — the night he allegedly was stabbed.
Guthrie said he started drinking at 7 p.m. that night, finishing a pint of whisky and quite a few beers.
During his testimony yesterday, Guthrie said he could not remember many of the evening's events, including being stabbed.
While attending a party at 12th and Ohio streets that night, Guthrie fought with Bowen Dino, a 25-year-old transient. Guthrie broke a windshield and dented Dino's friend's car, and the two broke start punched each other.
witnesses said Dino brandished a 4 3/4-inch buck knife. After the fight, both men fell down. Guthrie was cut on his neck and arms.
Dino was arrested on charges of attempted voluntary manslaughter following the skirmish. The charges eventually were lessened to aggravated battery.
Kansas law defines aggravated battery as intentionally causing great bodily harm to another person or disfigurement of another person. It is a felony.
Guthrie was treated at the University of Kansas Medical Center for nerve damage to his jaw.
Yesterday, Guthrie said he could not identify Dino as his assailant, nor could he verify he had been stabbed.
In his opening statement, the defendant's attorney, Michael Holland, said Dino was acting in self-defense.
Yesterday, prosecutor Daze Zabel and Holland questioned five witnesses, including two KU students who are acquaintances of Dino's. Zabel said four more would take the stand today, when the trial reconvenes at 9 a.m.
Guthrie is employed by the University at the Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall dining center.
Edited by Kelly Clasen
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