by Corinne Murdock | Jan 11, 2024 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
On Tuesday, the University of Arizona (UArizona) announced a $2.5 million settlement with the family of slain Professor Thomas Meixner.
Former UArizona graduate student Murad Dervish fatally shot Meixner in October 2022. In a copy of the settlement obtained by AZ Free News, UArizona also agreed to establish and fund an endowed professorship in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS) in Mexiner’s name.
UArizona also agreed to provide continued mental health treatment to HAS faculty, staff, and students directly and immediately affected by the shooting, as well as a tuition and fee waiver to certain HAS students directly and immediately affected by the shooting. For the latter provision, the university will apply the tuition and fee waiver prospectively and retroactively to the semester in which the events preceding the shooting began.
The Meixner family filed a notice of a claim against UArizona last March shortly after the disbanding of an independent faculty committee investigating the shooting. They originally sought $9 million from the university.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Meixner’s wife, Kathleen, said that they’re focused on preventing similar tragedies in the future. She ended on a note of support for the university that her husband knew and loved.
“So often in the aftermath of school shootings, we learn all the ways that they could and should have been prevented. That is exactly what happened here,” said Kathleen. “My family and I will continue meeting with the University of Arizona President, its Police Chief, and multiple other members of the University administration to make certain it upholds its commitment to make our community safer. Together, we will Bear Down, and find our way forward with courage and love for the Wildcat community which Tom cherished.”
In their original claim, the Meixner family accused the university of “repeatedly ignoring the clear and present danger” that Dervish posed by “openly advertis[ing] his intent to murder.” The family’s notice offered a summary of Dervish’s actions and escalations in threats for nearly a year leading up to the shooting, as well as details of a previous order of protection against Dervish from a previous university that UArizona failed to catch.
Meixner’s family alleged that Dervish’s intentions were so well known that Meixner’s last words were: “I knew you were going to do this!” Dervish violated the terms of his expulsion and ban from campus, as well as a no contact order, prior to the shooting.
“Dr. Meixner’s murder was not a random act of violence. The university knew Dervish planned to kill him and allowed it,” said the family. “Dervish’s homicidal intentions, capacities and history, as well as his utter disregard for the university’s unenforced sanctions, were so patently obvious that the University’s multiple failures to protect Dr. Meixner constitute an outrage.”
As reported previously, Dervish had a lengthy history of violence and crime. His criminal background included three prison stints and several instances of attempted murder: a pizza man at Penn State University and his own mother. He had also assaulted his father previously.
In a video of his interrogation following the shooting, Dervish expressed satisfaction over Meixner’s death. His trial date was pushed back to this May pending a doctor’s report on Dervish’s sanity.
“Well, at least I fulfilled my mission,” said Dervish.
In a press release issued Tuesday, UArizona alluded to the terms of the settlement’s non-monetary commitments to support the well-being of those affected by the shooting, as well as their agreement to have the Meixner family assist in future planning and implementation of safety and security measures.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 16, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
An unidentified man believed to be behind a string of back-to-back attempted kidnappings and sexual assault at the University of Arizona (UArizona) has yet to be apprehended.
So far, three female UArizona students have reported instances of being followed and/or attacked by the mystery man to police. The incidents occurred on Dec. 6, 7, and 11. The UArizona Police Department (UAPD) have partnered with the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD), FBI, and Marshal Service on the investigation.
In a press conference on Wednesday, TPD Assistant Chief Chris Dennison provided an update on their investigation. Although several victim reports indicate that one suspect was behind the attempted kidnappings and assault, Dennison didn’t rule out the possibility of multiple perpetrators.
Dennison confirmed that TPD is working with the victims to create a sketch of the suspect. Dennison explained that the FBI offered assistance with evidence processing and technology, OVPD has offered patrolling and augment resources, and the marshals offered surveillance assistance.
UAPD Chief Chris Olson said they were also partnering with safety aides and student community service officers to bolster its patrol presence. Olson recommended that students not walk alone, and to wear one instead of two headphones when walking to maintain situational awareness.
Olson further encouraged students to utilize UArizona’s SafeRide program, ridesharing services, the LiveSafe app, and, if necessary, a UAPD escort.
UArizona’s Counseling & Psych Services also offered itself as a resource, with survivor advocate Jess Glass Walsh speaking on behalf of the department. Walsh said that her department has assisted over 900 students in the last five years.
The first victim was followed at approximately 11 am last Wednesday, but not apprehended by the suspect near North Campbell Avenue and East 3rd Street.
The second victim was walking around 8th Street and Mountain Avenue last Thursday around 8 pm when the suspect jumped out of his car and grabbed her from behind. The suspect released the victim once she dropped to the ground and screamed. The suspect was described as wearing an orange fleece hoodie.
On Monday, the third victim reported that she was groped but not injured by the mystery man near East 7th Street and North Vine Avenue, just south of the UArizona campus. The man was wearing an orange shirt and jeans, but the victim didn’t notice a vehicle nearby.
UAPD described the suspect as a Hispanic-looking man with a close buzzcut around six feet tall and 30 to 40 years old. He reportedly drives a dark blue four-door hatchback or crossover vehicle with a dented front bumper, tinted windows, and an Arizona back license plate and no front license plate. The vehicle may be a Toyota Camry or Corolla.
UArizona officials warn students against walking alone, especially after dark, and have deployed additional patrolling officers to increase campus security. Law enforcement has also requested that members of the community register with TPD’s open camera registry to help track down the suspect.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 9, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
The University of Arizona (UArizona) reinstated two professors last week after they were suspended for defending Hamas to their students.
In audio clips published by Israel War Room last month, College of Education professors Rebecca Lopez and Rebecca Zapien made a number of refutable claims about Hamas in explaining the conflict to their students. Zapien ran an unsuccessful campaign to join the Tucson Unified School District last year.
The professors’ comments included the claim that Hamas isn’t a terrorist organization, but rather a resistance group comparable to the Black Panther Party. The U.S. has recognized Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization for well over 20 years. The FBI designated the Black Panther Party as a domestic extremist organization noted for employing violent and guerilla tactics in their attempts to overthrow the government.
The audio clips didn’t distinguish which professor issued the remarks, which occurred in the “Cultural Pluralism For Young Children” class.
One of the professors indicated that she would have engaged in actions similar to those undertaken by Hamas against Israel, in response to what she described as mistreatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli government.
“Hamas is a group within Palestine, they’re a group of people who are responding to that thing that’s going on, so they’re responding, much like I would, enough, they’re not the same, I wanna separate, but for me, I can understand things in a U.S. context, and then it helps me understand them in other countries,” stated one professor.
The professor went on to claim that Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people and aren’t elected officials. The terrorist organization has been the de facto governing body for the area since the early 2000s.
One of the professors also claimed that Israeli forces were targeting civilians, and that Hamas wasn’t antisemitic but anti-Zionist.
The Israel War Room called on UArizona President Robert Robbins to address the professors’ speech.
“[President Robbins], your professors are gaslighting Jewish students, endorsing terrorism, and spreading blatantly false information. We DEMAND you do something about it,” said the Israel War Room.
Leadership did take action — Lopez and Zapien were suspended while the university reviewed the remarks. The pair’s suspension didn’t bode well for students and local groups. The United Campus Workers Arizona launched a petition for their reinstatement and organized multiple sit-ins at the College of Education administration building.
In a statement announcing Lopez and Zapien’s return to the classroom last week, College of Education Dean Robert Berry said UArizona was committed to an inclusive respect of all viewpoints.
“We reaffirm our commitment to an academic instructional setting that respects all viewpoints and is within the scope and educational purposes of our discipline in terms of materials provided in the classroom,” said Berry.
Berry also announced a new faculty-led workshop series, “Educational Dialogues,” to review potentially contentious topics. The first in the series was scheduled for last Friday.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Nov 12, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
The University of Arizona (UArizona) School of Music announced a new recording studio opportunity that excludes white and/or straight students.
In an email obtained by Libs of TikTok, UArizona School of Music administrator Marissa Garaygordobil informed students that BIPOC (black, indigenous, or people of color) students were welcome to audition for a free film scoring orchestra performance and recording opportunity in professional recording studios.
The opportunity came from the nonprofit Musicians at Play (MAP) Foundation and their annual RISE Diversity Project. Studio spaces were offered by Warner Brothers, Sony, and Fox for Feb. 17 and 18, 2024.
“RISE aims to diversify the world of film and studio recordings by assembling an orchestra of young, BIPOC musicians from all across Los Angeles to work side-by-side with professional studio musicians and perform and record in a world-class recording studio,” stated the project poster.
Although the poster itself doesn’t mention LGBTQ as a preferred qualifier for auditioning, one of the MAP Foundation organizers, John Acosta, announced on Facebook that the diversity program would also show preference to LGBTQ students.
“Musicians at Play (MAP)’s RISE 2024 Diversity Program for BIPOC/LGBTQ Music Students headed by Maestro Anthony Parnther, conductor from ages 14-27 is now open!! Free to join!! PLEASE SHARE FAR AND WIDE! DEADLINE 12/1/23,” wrote Acosta.
The opportunity also comes with four to six coaching sessions, as well as experience under Anthony Parnther, a California-based conductor who serves as the music director and conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Southeast Symphony. Parnther’s recent film and TV scoring work included “Oppenheimer,” “The Mandalorian” series, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” “Creed III,” “Star Wars: the Force Awakens,” and the “Paw Patrol” movie.
Parnther co-founded the RISE Diversity Project, alongside MAP founder and CEO April Williams. He noted that the opportunity was the only one of its kind in the world.
“I’m committed to seeing diversity in all areas of music where I have any influence – including on our scoring stages,” said Parnther.
The MAP Foundation receives funding and support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the state of California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Arts & Culture, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).
That last entity, the City of Los Angeles DCA, partnered with the MAP Foundation to hold the diversity project. The city last reported giving the foundation just over $5,000 for the 2021-22 fiscal year for a separate project. The city didn’t mention the amount of funding, if any, given for the RISE Diversity Program.
The NEA has given the MAP Foundation $20,000 since 2021. The California Arts Council has given the MAP Foundation over $326,600 over the years.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Nov 4, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
The University of Arizona (UArizona) is now offering scholarships to illegal immigrants using the nonprofit arm of a leftist dark money network.
The university partnered with TheDream.US to provide the scholarships: an initiative of the New Venture Fund, an initiative by one of the biggest leftist dark money organizations in the nation, Arabella Advisors. That organization recently came under investigation for tax law aversion and illegal profiteering. UArizona President Robert Robbins said that the scholarships would provide opportunities for all Arizona youth regardless of their citizenship status.
“This new partnership with TheDream.US is a crucial step in our effort to make sure that all of Arizona’s youth have the opportunity to attend college and achieve their higher education goals,” said Robbins. “I am proud that the university, as Arizona’s land-grant institution, has entered this partnership, which allows us to serve more incoming students, including Arizona’s Dreamers.”
These scholarships — running up to $33,000 for tuition and fees — don’t require an illegal immigrant to have protections from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), so long as they came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and before Nov. 1, 2018, and have graduated from high school.
A full scholarship would cover all but $200 of in-state, on-campus costs of attendance. Should the illegal immigrant live off campus, the scholarship would completely cover costs of attendance with around $10,000 left over.
Some applicants may also receive an additional stipend of up to $6,000 for books, supplies, and transportation.
Illegal immigrants became eligible for in-state tuition last year with the passage of Proposition 308, backed by at least $1.2 million from out-of-state dark money networks.
Last year, TheDream.US partnered with Northern Arizona University (NAU) to offer the same scholarship opportunity to illegal immigrants. Arizona State University (ASU), Phoenix College, and Grand Canyon University (GCU) also partner with TheDream.US.
TheDream.US founders are: Don Graham, chairman of Graham Holdings Company (formerly The Washington Post), former director of Facebook, and former member of the Pulitzer Prize Board; Carlos Guitierrez, chairman and CEO of Empath, former chairman and CEO of Kellogg’s, and former Secretary of Commerce for the Bush administration; and Henry R. Muñoz III, former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee.
Several among the senior staff at TheDream.US were illegal immigrants themselves. Leading them is president and CEO Gaby Pacheco, an illegal immigrant who didn’t obtain her citizenship until June. As an activist, Pacheco helped inspire the DACA program as enacted via executive order by former President Barack Obama.
Last year, TheDream.US president was Candy Marshall, the former chief human resources officer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Marshall now serves as the senior advisor to the organization.
Advisory board members include Lupe De La Cruz, Pepsi vice president of government affairs and corporate citizenship; Mei-Yen Ireland, senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Georgia Levenson Keohane, CEO of the Soros Economic Development Fund; and Andrew Rosen, chairman and CEO of Kaplan.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
