Academic Terrorism

Why am I not surprised?

DENVER — The University of Colorado's (search) regents have scheduled a special meeting to consider a professor's essay that said victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks deserved to die because they were a willing part of "the mighty engine of profit."

The essay by Ward Churchill (search), chairman of the ethnic studies department and a longtime Indian activist, was written in the aftermath of the attacks. Its contents became known when he was invited to speak at Hamilton College (search) in Syracuse, N.Y.

Some relatives of Sept. 11 victims have protested the college's decision to allow Churchill to speak on Thursday, the same day the Colorado regents will meet on the university's Fitzsimons campus.

CU Provost Phil DiStefano last week said Churchill's views do not represent the university, but he had a right to express them.

A critic, U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez (search), R-Colo., said that because Churchill is tenured he apparently is immune from any sanctions by the university but should apologize. There was no answer at Churchill's office phone Sunday, and his private phone is not listed.

I wish I could claim to be surprised. Unfortunately, after five years at university, I can't.