Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, October 26, 1989
3
Brinkman supports Willner's removal
By Angela Baughman and Doug Fishback Kansan staff writers
Del Brinkman, vice chancellor for academic affairs, told a Faculty Senate committee last night that after attempts to reach a solution had failed, his only choice was to support efforts to dismiss Dorothy Willner, professor of anthropology
Brinkman told the Committee on Tenure and Related Problems that he had considered alternatives to dismissing Willner.
He said he had asked himself,
“What can we do short of this thing
that brings us to the table today? I
explored all of these things.”
Brinkman said that Willner's "legalistic" approach to proposed conversations, however, had precluded discussion with the professor.
Wilmer had proposed her own settlement to tensions with colleagues, Brinkman said. Her proposal "was to continue employment at the University of Kansas at least through age 70, with full salary adjustments for cost of living considerations," he said. In addition, KU officials were to help Wilner find a position at a coastal university, Brinkman said.
"It would have been irresponsible, I think, for the University to have accepted that proposal," he said. "The final conclusion was that this a situation that could only be dealt with by dismissal."
Donald Koster, Willner's representative during the hearings, asked Brinkman if Willner had had a charge against him. He charged charges against her were drawn.
Brinkman said that he had not thought in terms of "confrontation" and "accusers." He said that Willner had received enough mail from collar over the years to have a clear impression of the sentiment toward her.
"I don't think there was any lack of understanding about what was going on." he said.
Koster asked Brinkman if he was familiar with dismissal standards set by the American Association of University Professors and whether the charges against Willner met those standards.
Rose Marino, the associate general counsel arguing for Willner's dismissal, objected.
"What is relevant is what the University of Kansas has adopted," she said.
The Board of Regents in 1947 adopted the 1940 AUPP "Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Teture," according to the University Handbook for Faculty and Other Unclassified Staff.
Marino pointed out, however, that the University had not adopted 1958 and 1963 AAUP documents. The 1958 document states that adequate grounds for dismissal of a faculty member are shortcomings in teaching and/or research duties, Koster said.
Koster again asked Brinkman whether the charges against Williner met AAUP standards.
"They meet those standards that would apply in these situations at the University of Kansas, yes," Brinkman said.
During a recess, Koster expressed concern about KU following its own interpretation of AAUP policy.
"Who is better qualified to interpret that 1940 statement than the people and the organization that created it?" he said.
"That's their right, I suppose, but I don't think it's going to win them any medals as far as the professoriate of the country is concerned," he said.
Koster said KU officials had the right to interpret the statement as they wished, but he questioned the results of doing so.
When Johnson became chairman of the department in 1983, he said his main concern was to accommodate Willner with the department and vice versa. He said he called for a faculty course on the subject of cerms, but Willner refused to attend because faculty voted against recording the meeting in any way.
"Part of the problem comes from Professor Willner's unwillingness to communicate to the rest of the faculty." Johnson said.
Alfred Johnson, professor of anthropology, began his testimony Monday and continued it last night. He said his problems with Willner were not related to the study that tested the hiring of Don Stull, associate professor of anthropology.
He said Willner believed she was a victim of prejudicial harassment based on her gender and because she was Jewish. In 1982, she unsuccessfully university, claiming sex discrimination and other civil rights violations.
Johnson, who was chairman of the department from 1983 to 1986, said Willner made charges based on a series of miniscule incidents in which she thought she was being harassed. The incident, a piece of correspondence, wasminiscued resulting in Willner screaming at him in his doorway.
"I think that the incident was kind of unbelievable." Johnson said.
Fired Up
Members of the Army ROTC Drill Team practice for their performance at the Nov. 4 football game. They are, left to right, Darrin Daugherty, Kincaid junior; Becky LaPolice, Clilton freshman; Alan Crossett, Colorado Springs, Colo., junior; Carol Ruppel, St. Peters, Mo.,Junior; and Tom Skelton, Lenexa junior. They practiced behind Murphy Hall yesterday afternoon.
Law students decide KU parking cases
By Beth Behrens
Kansan staff writer
Gavin Fritton, a Topeka second-year law student, turned on the tape recorder and brought the Court of Parking Appeals to order last night.
The appeals court, which conducts hearings twice a week, was established by Student Senate so students their cases to a court of their peers.
law students who volunteer to represent students and the KU Parking Department. Each case is heard by three of the 21 second-year law students who have volunteered to be judges.
Prosecuting and defense attorneys are members of a pool of 52 first-year
Prosecute law student Heather Nye, Farmington Hill, Mich., said she decided to volunteer because of the experience.
"It's not only to get to know traffic rules, but you get to go through legal proceedings," she said. "It's really hard to get that during your first year
because the class lead is so hard. You spend a lot of time with the books."
Although the services are free to students, Fritton said some chose not to use counsel. One student tried to defend himself a few weeks ago but instead of improving his chance for appeal, the strategy backfired.
"He might well have had a case," Fritton said. "He didn't know the procedures, and we couldn't admit his evidence. It's kind of like performing brain surgery without a
doctor."
"It takes about 30 minutes for the case to be presented and deliberated," Fritton said. "If you meet with your attorney before that, that may take another 15 or 20 minutes."
"It's kind of different because in this court you're assumed guilty until proven innocent. The reason is because there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there who would say they weren't even there when the ticket was given. We give parking the benefit of the doubt."
KU Pro-Choice organizes for march in Topeka
Kansan staff writer
By Derek Schmidt Kansen staff writer
An abortion rights march next month in Topeka likely will be the largest march in the capital's history, organizers said yesterday.
"I think it will send a signal to the Kansas Legislature that the majority of people in Kansas are pro-choice," said Skarda, Omaha, Neb., senior.
Pam Skarda, head coordinator for the KU Pro-Choice Coalition, predicted that thousands of people would descend on the capital Nov. 12 as part of a nationwide demonstration. Pro-choice plans to march in each state capital and in Washington that day.
The KU coalition is an ad hoc group that formed after last summer's Supreme Court decision that allowed states to restrict abortions. Members of the coalition are concentrating on getting people to march in Topeca. Skarda said.
"I's in our backyard in Topeka," Skarda said. She said that she expected 700 to 800 KU students to participate.
Stephanie Hampton, march coordinator for the coalition, said she was confident that many KU students would participate.
"I think the majority of people on this campus are pro-choice," Hampton said. "But they haven't had a chance to let anybody know that their view is unchance for the majority to stand up and be counted."
Hampton expects the march to sway some legislators' votes.
"I think such a large group can't go unnoticed," she said and added that
march organizers in the Kansas City area estimated that 5,000 people would participate.
But even if no votes change, Hampton said, the march will be a success. "The most important effect is to unify," she said. "Other people who have been quieter abide their views can say, 'Okay, I'm really not a minority,'"
Hampton said college students generally were not crusaders about abortion rights.
"It's always been an option," she said.
Muir resigns from all but 2 posts, creates room for others
Kansan staff writer
By Lara Weber
Kansas staff writer
Citing personal obligations and a desire to focus his efforts on fewer organizations, James Muir resigned all of his student government positions, except two, at last night's Student Senate meeting.
Muir announced that he would resign his graduate senator seat as well as his positions on a number of Senate committees, subcommittees, University boards and the Senate Executive Committee.
He said he would retain his positions on the Graduate Executive Committee and the Graduate Student Council. Muir is executive coordinator of GradEx and executive director of the GSC.
"I regret having to do this," Muir told Senate members. "I've put a lot
of time into this University, and I've tried to get things done."
At the first Senate meeting of the semester, Muir announced a graduate student boycott of Senate because he believed, in part, that the undergraduates were unable to deal effectively with graduate concerns.
At a later Senate meeting, a letter from Muir stated that he had acted alone in his boycott and that the GSC and GradEx wanted to work with Senate to solve several graduate concerns.
He also spoke last night in favor of tabling a Senate bill to form a new Graduate Affairs committee until it could be discussed at a Nov. 6
Muir had indicated recently, however, that he was considering resigning his Senate position to direct his career. He did not particularly his wife and his academics.
GradEx meeting.
"The GSC represents graduate students on all levels at the University of Georgia," she said, feeling that this committee would duplicate the efforts of the GSC."
Muir has expressed concern that such a committee would infringe upon the power of the GSC.
About a dozen graduate students were present at the Senate meeting. Most have applied for the 13 vacant graduate Senate positions and have participated in recent efforts by the Senate Minority Affairs committee to organize a new graduate affairs committee.
After Muir's announcement, Eric Rabe, chairman of the graduate issues forum, which is the group that represents minority affairs committee, spoke to students.
"We see the graduate affairs committee as working with the Graduate Student Council," abe said. "They have not been effective, and we justify the formation of the commit-ment to enhance the communication between graduate students and Senate."
The bill to amend Senate rules and regulations to form the new committee was tabled until the next meeting, Nov. 8.
The graduate students represented by Rabe said in a prepared statement after the meeting that they were "seeking to work with GSC in a positive manner to further graduate student involvement and representation in Student Senate.
"James Muir, the executive director of GSC, has refused to attend our meetings. As a result of this, we plan to attend the next GradEx meeting and present our bill for their examination and comment.
"We feel that a graduate affairs committee of Student Senate will serve to facilitate direct communication to graduate students and Student Senate."
Rabe said he was disappointed that Muir had withdrawn from Senate but that he understood his time obligations.
"Now his primary concern is the Graduate Student Council so he'll be able to devote more effort to that concern," he said.
Rabe said it appeared that Muir didn't understand the intent of the new committee.
"He doesn't understand that this won't step on the toes of the GSC, that we're trying to work with the GCS," he said.
Rashid Zahil, the only graduate senator, said that it was sad that
Muir had to resign and that it was because of what Muir had done that there was increased graduate interest in Senate.
"Because of his involvement, he's made graduate students aware of the importance of their involvement," Zulu said.
He said he believed that the other graduate students had good intentions and that he would support the new committee as long as it didn't duplicate or conflict with the GSC.
Muir said he believed his resignation of so many posts would open the door to other graduate students who wanted to become more involved.
"I feel quite relieved," he said. "I saw with the interest that graduate students have that my positions will be filled by competent people."
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