Phil Mitchell's Termination: Discrimination and Retaliation

Dear AAUP Member:

Attached is the report of the American Association of University Professors-CU Chapter regarding the University of Colorado's termination of instructor Phil Mitchell.

Dr. Mitchell, a senior instructor in the Sewall Residence Academic Program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, was terminated by non-renewal of his contract in spring 2007. Mitchell, arguably the most honored teacher in the history of the University, had previously been terminated in 2005, he claims, because of hostility by the History Department toward his conservative religious and political convictions. Mitchell publicly spoke out against his 2005 firing, an endeavor that he believes temporarily saved his job. Mitchell considers his 2007 firing an act of retaliation against his speaking out in 2005.

The AAUP-CU Chapter concludes that it is likely Dr. Mitchell's termination was motivated by antipathy toward his conservative religious and political beliefs and that the administration fabricated a case against him in order to fire him.

In so doing, the University of Colorado violated numerous of its own laws regarding protections of due process, shared governance, and academic freedom, as well as Dr. Mitchell's first amendment right to free speech.

The AAUP-CU Chapter recommends Dr. Mitchell's reinstatement with tenure at CU and the dismissal of Professor Ann Carlos as the director of the Sewall Residence Academic Program.

Many of the appendices to the attached report are not available electronically; however, you may obtain them by contacting the AAUP-CU Chapter.

For further information, contact Don Eron at 303-449-2801 (eron@colorado.edu) or Phil Mitchell at 303-513-4735 (micaiahministries@comcast.net).

Sincerely,
Suzanne Hudson, Secretary
AAUP-CU Chapter

Download the AAUP's Statement on the Termination of Phil Mitchell >>

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