Chicano Studies Chair at Metropolitan State U. of Denver Gets Demoted for ‘Unprofessional Behavior,’ But Supporters Cry Racism
“When we speak up, we are often depicted as aggressive and disruptive, instead of our opinions being heard and upheld”
This reaction from her supporters is so lazy. Why can’t they address the real issue of her behavior?
The College Fix reports:
Chicano Studies chair gets demoted for unprofessional behavior, supporters cry ‘racism’
The now-former chairman of the Metropolitan State University of Denver Chicano Studies Department recently was demoted from her position for inappropriate and unprofessional behavior, and now her supporters are crying “racism.”
Professor Adriana Nieto officially was relieved of her chairmanship on December 5 by College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Dean John Masserini.
Westword reports “the final straw” was Nieto berating “student employees and administration” over a tuition discount for her son, and “how it’s unfair that [the Human Resources Dept.] gets to work from home.”
Nieto “rudely” told HR employees “no one [in their dept.] works or knows what they’re doing,” was “hitting [a] desk,” and within earshot of nearby students said “if she could pay tuition” she wouldn’t even send her son to MSU, according to the report.
“It goes without saying that this behavior is inappropriate for anyone working at MSU Denver, much less an academic leader and department chair,” Masserini wrote in a message to Nieto (pictured). “I simply cannot have members of CLAS leadership behaving in such a manner as you displayed on November 8. Due to this, I am removing you as chair.”
The dean brought up Nieto’s “rough” performance review from July at which she was told she has a “tendency to emphasize the negative viewpoint in most conversations.”
“This often leads to comments and tone that are disruptive, unprofessional and counterproductive to solution-finding and a growth mindset,” Masserini wrote. “The incident in question […] demonstrates a lack of reflection and behavior modification on your part.”
But Nieto’s supporters have a different take.
PhD student Micah Ramirez, who calls Nieto a “mentor” and said she was “absolutely shocked” and “appalled” at her demotion, said the professor merely was “feeling frustrated” on the day in question and “was acting in capacity as a mother for her son.”
Ramirez said Masserini’s letter was “racially aimed” and “sexist” as it used terms “that have been historically used against women of color.” On that point, MSU Studio Arts Professor Yunjin La-mei Woo said MSU “is afraid of aggression by ‘female people of color.’”
“When we speak up, we are often depicted as aggressive and disruptive, instead of our opinions being heard and upheld,” Woo said, adding that Nieto’s “content and tone” in the situation were appropriate given the circumstances.
“If Dr. Nieto is demoted because of this, it sends an alarming message to all faculty and staff at MSU Denver whose children attend the university that they cannot properly advocate for their children’s educational rights,” Woo said.
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Comments
Just close the Chicano Studies department along with the other nonsense departments.
“was acting in capacity as a mother for her son.”
Yes, I’m sure ChiKaren remained completely anonymous as to her standing in the University during this rant.
They should have sent her packing (and probably would have if she didn’t have minority privilege…think of a SWM doing this exact same thing) but tenure means she will hang on at the university she thinks she is better than because no one else will have her.
“Chicano Studies”
What a load of horse-shit. The whole point of the “Chicano” movement was/is to encourage Latino kids to avoid assimilating into American culture. It’s anti-American at it’s core. People who push this crap should be deported immediately if they’re not US citizens, and anyone caught espousing it should never gain citizenship.
Perhaps because you are in fact being aggressive and disruptive?
She had a tantrum and the adult chair of the department punished her for it. Problem?
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Someone tell PHD student Ramirez that leaders are not expected to take their frustrations out on staff–that’s what therapy and liquor is for
“When we speak up, we are often depicted as aggressive and disruptive, instead of our opinions being heard and upheld”
Oh no, you di-int,,,!
The linked story tells us that bad behavior is not new to her, citing that earlier performance review. This instant event is something she was counseled to stop doing. She failed to take corrective action and found out the boss meant what he said.
And I join in the opinion of “horse-shit”. Aside from a teaching position in some college’s Chicano Studies program, where can a degree is this stuff be useful?