Controversial Colorado Professor ‑ the Dalhousie Connection

All across the US media the past few weeks the story of University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill has been a hot topic. Churchill, a professor of ethnic studies, became a lightning rod for negative attention across the US when he wrote an essay about the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, September 11, 2001. Churchill suggested many of the victims were little Eichmanns and that they deserved their fate. The 2001 article came to light when Churchill was scheduled to speak at Hamilton College this past January. The University of Colorado (CU) began an investigation of Churchill which led them to a matter concerning Dr. Fay G. Cohen, from the Dalhousie School for Resource and Environmental Studies.

Dr. Cohen worked with Churchill on a European publication in 1991 but had some concerns about the direction the project was taking. Dr. Cohen decided to withdraw her contribution to the project. Later, in 1992, another book (The State of Native America – Genocide, Colonization, and Resistance) was published in North America including a chapter on the same topic authored by “The Institute for Natural Progress”; the book’s Contributors Section attributed the lead role in the INP chapter to Ward Churchill. The chapter was clearly based heavily on Dr. Cohen’s earlier contribution.

Dr. Cohen went to Dalhousie’s legal counsel to obtain an opinion as to whether her work had been plagiarized. In the opinion of Dal’s lawyer it was indeed a case of plagiarism. Fearing possible retribution from Churchill, Dr. Cohen did not act on the findings until contacted by CU when the matter came to light. Churchill denies the allegations.

Since going public with the information, Dalhousie and Dr. Cohen have become a major part of the larger Ward Churchill story. The Colorado media in particular have repeatedly sought comment from Dalhousie officials as the frenzy around the story continues to build. Now, a possible settlement between the CU and Churchill has been taken off the table in light of these developments.

Cohen says she is coming forward because there is a clear need to stand up for academic integrity. She agreed the Dalhousie report could be shared with CU officials because of the importance she attaches to this information getting out there.

The controversy comes at a time when the Dalhousie campus is exploring issues around academic integrity and how academic dishonesty affects the integrity of learning, assessment and teaching practices. This past week the Centre for Learning and Teaching hosted Academic Integrity Week, which was a series of lectures designed to prevent plagiarism in academic work. The sessions were a success says Lynn Taylor, Director of the Centre for Learning and Teaching and an organizer of the events. “Academic Integrity Week was valuable for both its specific content, but also for its role in raising awareness across the Dalhousie community of an issue that is at the heart of every facet of academic work,” she says. “An act of plagiarism, or any other form of cheating, is ultimately a personal decision. However, both research and experience demonstrate that these personal decisions are often mediated by a lack of knowledge, the interactions among students and professors, and University policies and practices. The discussions that took place during Academic Integrity week reflected the complexity of these issues in the Dalhousie community.” The timing of the lectures was not lost on any of those involved in the Churchill matter.

The investigation from the University of Colorado is ongoing.