Towson U. fires instructor for racial slur

[The Straight Story]

Towson U. fires instructor for racial slur

TOWSON, Md., March 3 (UPI) -- Towson University in Maryland has dismissed a popular adjunct art instructor for using a racial slur in class.

Allen Zaruba, who said Tuesday he made a "terrible terrible mistake," told The Baltimore Sun he accepts his firing and does not plan to contest it. Zaruba said the chairman of the art department, Stuart Stein, called him Thursday, three days after he used the slur, to tell him he was out of a job.

Zaruba, an artist, has taught at Towson for 12 years as a part-time instructor. This semester, he was teaching three classes.

Marina Cooper, a Towson spokeswoman, said at least one student and one parent complained about Zaruba's language.

Adam Jackson, president of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, said he had heard Zaruba used the slur while talking about a "corporate plantation."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/03/Towson-U-fires-instructor-for-racial-slur/UPI-60681267655506/


Towson case highlights struggles of adjunct profs

If Allen Zaruba had called himself a "slave" on a corporate plantation instead of using what the Sun calls "a racially insensitive term," he'd still have his job as an adjunct professor at Towson University. His firing is attracting attention because of our fascination with race and language taboos. (Zaruba is white but had a black stepfather.) But the case will also renew discussion about the low pay and status of adjunct faculty. Among many questions: If Zaruba had tenure, would he have been fired?


http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/hancock/blog/2010/03/towson_case_highlights_struggl.html

[handmade34]

1. I'm looking at Towson U

right now from my hotel room. Not surprised. interesting details

[heli]

2. I suspect tenured faculty can use bad language on occasion without fear

but adjuncts are at-will and disposable. Zero protection. One complaint like that, and they replace you with another adjunct.