At about 3:00 pm on Monday June 11, 2007, about 30 DePaul students who wanted tenure for DePaul professors Finkelstein and Larudee, met with President of DePaul, Fr. Holtschneider. Students had been sitting-in the conference room in the president’s office since 8:30 am that morning. DePaul public safety had been alerted to the student’s plans and was waiting for the students. No threats of arrest or retaliation have been made, in fact the school brought us snacks and drinks.
Holtschneider expressed how proud he was that as involved students we were willing to meet with him and push forward with our views. After introductions, the students presented Holtschneider with a list of petitions, including close to 800 signatures supporting tenure for Finkelstein. After that we began with our criticisms of the tenure process and questions for Holtschneider.
The first question we asked was whether or not Holtschneider met with Alan Dershowitz. Holtschneider denied meeting with him, pointing out that any letter or correspondence he received from Dershowitz, he would not read and turned over to DePaul’s general council immediately. We then began asking him what he did to prevent other people involved in the tenure process from being influenced by outside agitators like Dershowitz. Not much. He pointed to the Political Science departments review and rejection of Dershowitz’s materials.
Students expressed concern over the influence that dean of LA&S Suchar might have received from Dershowitz, to the point of copying misspelled misquotations of Finkelstein.
Students raised the issue of the DePaul faculty handbook. Particularly the selections on page 12 of the tenure guidelines which mandate that the professor up for tenure be told of the decisions of each board before it proceeds to the next level. Neither Finkelstein nor Larudee were notified of the University tenure board decision.
Holtschneider tried to claim that the language was vague and that for the last 20 years or so they had not alerted tenure candidates to their University tenure board decisions. If this is the case it seems that DePaul has not been following the guidelines of the faculty handbook for the last 20 years.
Students also raised the issue of the AAUP’s statement’s on coliegiality as a criterion of tenure, and how they believed that Holtschneider’s attempts to make ad hominum attacks a reason to deny tenure is against academic standards which limit the criterion to teaching, scholarship and service. Holtschneider tried to paint collegiately as something frivolous that happens between professors and not the same category as his charges against Finkelstein.
It also came to light that contrary to the DePaul general council’s claims, that a faculty member had appealed their tenure denial in the 1990’s.
Holtschnieder stressed that he didn’t look so much at the votes of the board but their arguments. The combined votes for Finkelstein would be 17-8 in favor and for Larudee the department and college levels were unanimous in their support for her. This raises the question of why vote at all then if Holtschneider is going to pick and choose what he likes from the faculty opinions.
Contrary to right-wing claims, Holtschnieder assured us that professors do have the right to make public any decisions given to them.
When pressed on if Holtschneider checks the quotes that Finkelstein is cited, Holtschnieder said he would “dance a little” with his answer. He said he read two of Finkelstein’s books when he began as President at DePaul.
When a student raised the social justice mission of DePaul and that Finkelstein was fighting for social justice for Palestinians who are among the most oppressed people, Holtschnieder said that he had no argument with what Finkelstein was doing for Palestinians, and talked about how he had visited Palestine and saw the wall himself and would need no convincing of the unjustness of the situation.
He discussed his brief conversations with AAUP head Bowen and described his call to Bowen alerting him to the denial of tenure as a courtesy call.
Many students told the President that they felt disgusted with the school’s decision, embarrassed, and sick to their stomachs. They described their great disappointment with the school and the fact that many of them don’t even want to be graduating from DePaul any more.
One student mentioned Holtschnieder’s denial was based on ad hominum attacks, but that even Jesus Christ participated in ad hominum attacks against hypocrites and merchants in the temple. Holtschneider replied basically that Jesus was not a scholar and that there is a difference between social activism and scholarly activity, which he pointed out that the University tenure board found Finkelstein’s scholarship lacking. This seems just a bit odd considering his record.
Holtschneider also talked about the one time that he overturned a University tenure board decision, and he believed that was because the process was compromised. He did not believe that the process was compromised in either Finkelstein or Larudee’s cases. He also stated that while he would be willing to listen to anything the faculty council had to say, he was not willing to accept any appeal/overturning from them.
The students then presented their demands. A reversal of the decision to deny tenure and for tenure to be granted to Finkelstein and Larudee. They explained that this is a long term issue that will haunt the University as a media issue, at graduation ceremonies and in other ways. They said that they would take as long as it took to have their demand for tenure met. Holtschneider said that they could continue to stay in the conference room in his office, that they would cancel meetings which were supposed to meet in there, but that he would not reverse his decision to deny tenure. Students have decided to continue to occupy the room. Students asked about final make-ups and extensions, and Holtschneider told them that they would have to get approval from the Professor. Holtschneider refused to answer how the school knew of the students plans to have a sit-in. The students are approaching their first 24 hours in the sit in and are seeking support. DePaul students can come to the 22nd floor of the DePaul administration building (55 E. Jackson) and support the sit-in as long as possible. Students are able to stay in the building all night, but the building closes entry at 6:00 pm. Other activists are welcome to support a picket line and flyering groups outside the building.
Spectrum is gearing up for it's signature event, Spectrum Week, with an exciting line up of events and speakers! And of course, what better way to cap off the week than a Drag Show in the Atrium?
Name: Spectrum Week 2007!!!
Tagline: When the Student Center Explodes in Gay
Host: Spectrum Depaul
Type: Education - Workshop
Time and PlaceStart Time: Monday, April 23, 2007 at 7:00am
End Time: Friday, April 27, 2007 at 5:00pm
Location: DePaul Student Center
Contact InfoEmail: spectrumdepaul@gmail.com
Name: Take Back the Night
Tagline: an anti- sexual and domestic violence march, rally, speakout and vigil
Host: feminists in action!
Type: Causes - Rally
Time and PlaceDate: Thursday, April 26, 2007
Time: 9:00am - 9:20pm
Contact InfoPhone: 773.325.7558
Please come and support survivors in our community, and help raise awareness of the violence we face every day. No one should live in fear, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, orientation, class, or heritage. By gathering, we can send a message that violence will not be tolerated, that the community cares about its members, and believes in their rights to a safe environment!
9am-4pm Clothesline Project in SAC Pit
**The Clothesline Project is a powerful gathering of shirts decorated by survivors of violence with their feelings, stories and drawings. We will also have resources for survivors, and shirts that can be decorated.
5pm-5.30pm Rally Outside Student Center (Weather Permitting) ** Students and community member can meet and listen to speakers share stories, poetry and outrage at the endless cycle of violence in America and around the world.
5.30-6pm March around Campus **The march will raise awareness of the issues of violence facing the community to the public and also serves as an affirmative challenge to every student, and community resident to end violence in their own lives.
6-9pm Speakout in MPR **The speakout functions as an outlet for stories of violence and resistance. Anyone is welcome to share their experience with the group.
9-9.20pm Candle Light Vigil in Quad **The vigil functions as a positive end to the night where participants can remember those lost to violence and pledge to help end it in their lifetimes.