History chair removed from post

Kiera Manion-Fischer

John Jameson was relieved of his duties as chair of the history department Nov. 7.

Jameson said Jerry Feezel, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, notified him of it in an e-mail.

The reason given was that Jameson approved a six-week research leave for Julio Pino, associate professor of history, without also seeking approval from the dean’s office, a violation of university policy.

Pino said he asked Jameson for the leave to study Arabic language and culture in the United Arab Emirates in early October.

Pino said he had to come back after two weeks after Feezel e-mailed him telling him he did not have approval for the leave. He said that meant the leave would have been without pay.

Jameson said he notified the Provost’s office instead of Feezel.

“What I did I don’t think was that controversial,” he said.

He said he’d been chair of the department for 10 years, through greater controversy.

“I’ve fought for some things that haven’t been popular with the administration,” he said.

He mentioned previous fears of the history doctoral program losing its funding.

Pino said Jameson had worked to preserve the program’s funding. The humanities are not seen as “profitable,” he said.

“The humanities are being shortchanged,” he said. “Dr. Jameson’s dismissal is part of a bigger picture.

Jameson will continue as a full professor of history.

Mary Ann Heiss, associate professor of history, has been appointed interim chair. She did not wish to comment.

Provost Robert Frank and Feezel also would not comment, saying it was a matter concerning personnel.

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Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].