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Evidence of retaliation stands on its own merits.
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By Cynthia Annett | April 28, 2000
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The verdict in Marie Aquilino´s retaliation trial, on its own, may help
convince many people of the necessity of our battle against retaliation
on the KU campus. But evidence of the retaliatory practices by the KU
administration has been available to many people long before this
verdict.
The evidence that was introduced during the Cynthia Annett/Ray
Pierotti trial, and the evidence in the cases of Mike Cuenca, Fred
Whitehead, Dimitrios Dendrinos, Hugo Palaez and Hector Clark, has shown
for a long time that this administration viciously attacks anyone who
speaks against the University of Kansas and/or anyone who otherwise
exercises their rights.
Remember, federal law protects those
who file a complaint of violations of their rights to equal opportunity
in a workplace. Seeking justice in these cases is not easy, but the
fact remains that retaliation is illegal — and immoral.
For
years now, Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Provost David Shulenburger
have presided over a dismantling of basic civil rights on this campus.
There are now no functioning mechanisms for investigation or resolution
of formal appeals to the University for relief. You need look no
further than the testimony of administrators in these two trials for
proof. You need look no further than the administration´s strategy of
using retaliation — even in the courtroom — to fight against our battle
for basic civil rights.
Their vindictive actions have
successfully quieted many voices. It is obvious from personal accounts
and recent newspaper reports what can happen to those who stand up
against this administration. Too many faculty members are frightened by
the prospect of being slandered and/or ostracized by their colleagues
and/or losing their jobs, students, offices and ability to apply for
grants. Many victims have remained silent and/or have fled to more
hospitable institutions. The University has experienced a very real
brain drain of the very types of people who it should most want to
retain: brilliant, creative individuals who have the respect to stand
up for themselves and others.
It is hoped that the verdict in
Aquilino´s retaliation trial will signal the beginning of the end of
retaliation in this campus workplace. However, if the governor and the
Board of Regents continue to ignore the conduct of the administration,
the change will take longer, the list of aggrieved will continue to
grow and the battle will produce unnecessary public relations damage to
the institution. This public relations damage will cost the University
in terms of the quality of faculty it can attract and the type of
federal funds it hopes to acquire. Let´s all hope that the governor and
the Regents come to understand that it is necessary to take action to
change this environment. If they don´t understand that they need to act
to protect the employees, perhaps they´ll at least understand that they
need to act to protect the institution.
We are preparing group
complaints to send to several federal agencies. All institutions
receiving federal funds are mandated to uphold the federal civil rights
laws, including prohibition against retaliation. If the state acts,
perhaps it will not be necessary for us to continue these further
actions to bring about positive change on campus.
You can learn
much more about the University´s workplace atmosphere for women and
minorities by visiting our Web site at www.seekpeace.com/KUSRVC. And,
all are encouraged to attend an American Association of University
Professors meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the International House at
Washburn University, at which a committee will present its findings in
our cases to state members, and a report subsequently will be filed
with the national organization.
Dr. Cynthia Annett wrote this
guest column in conjunction with Marie Aquilino, Mike Cuenca and Ray
Pierotti. All are representatives of the Kansas University Sexism and
Racism Victims Coalition.
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Originally published by the University Daily Kansan.
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