Wednesday, October 25, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Professor threatened with removal
University upset about unapproved guest lecturer
By Leita Schultes
By Leta Schutts
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Ray Pierotti said he received a letter from the University yesterday that questioned his ability to teach his class and threatened his removal from the department.
The letter, sent by the ecology and evolutionary biology department, stemmed from Pierotti's use of an unapproved guest lecturer to teach his Biology 414 class while he recovered from eye surgery.
Pierotti, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, had two surgeries in two weeks on a detached retina in his eye that was causing dizziness and unclear vision. Although Pierotti has attended his classes,
his wife, Cynthia Annett, has done much of the lecturing.
Annett taught Biology 414 while she was a faculty member at the University. However, she was denied tenure in 1999, and she and Pierotti sued the University for racial and sexual discrimination.
The University won the lawsuit last spring, but Annett's return to a KU lecture hall has led to concern and investigation.
Pierotti said the University's keen interest in his class and the letter he received today were retaliation against the lawsuit.
The letter was signed by Thomas Taylor, chairman of the ecology and evolutionary biology department. He could not be reached for comment.
"He is claiming that I am unable to meet my classes and carry out my academic responsibilities, and that's not true," Pierotti said.
The letter also made a few demands.
"He wants me to provide him with a copy of my syllabus, and
"He is claiming that I am unable to meet my classes and carry out my academic responsibilities, and that's
not true."
Ray Pierotti
Associate professor of ecology and
evolutionary biology
he wants me to inform him of any changes in my class," Pierotti said.
The letter did not request any meeting between Pierotti and the department or Taylor.
"He doesn't want to meet with me," Pierotti said. "Dr. Taylor and I don't normally speak to one another because I regard him as a man without honor."
John O'Brien, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and former chair of the department, did not comment on Taylor. He said that Annett was qualified and that he disagreed
"My reaction is that she has taught it in the past," he said. "I see no reason why she should not be allowed to do it."
with KU's actions.
O'Brien said he had used Annett as a guest lecturer for some of his classes.
"Some of the lectures she was giving last week she gave for my class when I was in town because she's so good at it," he said.
the faculty handbook states that professors must communicate arrangements with the dean or chairperson of the department and that those arrangements are subject to approval.
But O'Brien said that policy was commonly overlooked.
"I've never followed it," he said.
"When I've needed somebody, I've just asked somebody. And I believe I'm not alone in that."
Last night, Pierotti said he was writing a response to Taylor's letter. He said his response would make it clear to the University that he was not intimidated.
"I will have guest lecturers," Pierotti said. "I'm going to con-
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