June 27, 2008

Disputes and Resignations Roil the Middle East Center at the U. of Utah

Staff changes and a war of words may threaten federal grant

By Paula Wasley

Controversial faculty reassignments and resignations in March have left the Middle East Center at the University of Utah in turmoil. The problems come only a year before the university must reapply for the grant from the U.S. Department of Education that supports the center, which is among the oldest such academic units in the country.

In mid-March, Robert D. Newman, dean of the College of Humanities, removed two professors from joint appointments to the Middle East Center. Both of