Judge Phillips Turns Aside Ward Churchill's Bid for a Temporary Restraining Order Against the University of Colorado

The Rocky Mountain News (11-2-06) reports:

A Denver judge Wednesday refused to get involved in Ward Churchill's dispute with the University of Colorado.

Churchill sought a Denver District Court order forcing CU to pay $20,000 of his legal fees or halt his dismissal proceedings until payment is resolved.

But Denver District Judge Stephen Phillips ruled that a temporary restraining order isn't appropriate. If Churchill is wrongly fired or has to pay an attorney himself, these injuries can be compensated later, Phillips said.

The controversial ethnic studies professor is on paid leave while he appeals CU's decision to fire him. Churchill said the university is breaking its own rules by not paying him the $20,000. He and attorney David Lane quoted from a Faculty Senate policy published on a CU Web site that says the university "shall contribute" up to $20,000 in attorney's fees when a professor is going through termination proceedings.

But CU officials contend that the regents never accepted the policy. [Full text]