DENVER — Outside of the Chicano Studies building at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a group of students spoke to 9NEWS about their anger and frustration over the demotion of a professor who they say has long advocated for their well-being on and off campus.
“I generally feel it was racially motivated,” said Chicano Studies student Elizabeth Reyes, who has been organizing efforts against the demotion.
Through a request for public records, 9NEWS obtained a letter notifying Dr. Adriana Nieto will no longer be chair of Chicano Studies as of Dec. 22.
According to her online biography, Nieto has been with the university for more than 15 years.
The letter was written by Dr. John Masserini, the Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and refers to “unprofessional behavior” while engaging with office workers.
Read the letter here:
In the letter, Masserini cites an incident in November in which Nieto allegedly made “rude comments” to office workers “while hitting a desk.”
The letter cites two written complaints filed by office staff at the Jordan Student Success Building where Nieto went to inquire about tuition for her son during the November incident.
Masserini also cited a July performance review in the letter and characterized Nieto as having a “tendency to emphasize the negative viewpoint in most conversations.”
Students who spoke out in defense of Dr. Nieto said Dean Masserini doesn’t understand the nature of her advocacy work and that her demotion will have a negative impact on and off campus because of her ties to the Chicano community.
“Anytime women of color are in positions of power, they're always retaliated against simply for the way that they advocate for themselves, simply for the tone of their voice,” said Elizabeth Reyes.
“We are always told that when we advocate for ourselves, it's 'aggression.' It's seen as 'unprofessional,’” Reyes added.
Dr. Nieto declined to comment to 9NEWS about her demotion.
“Out of respect for the privacy of any employee in this situation, I won’t share specific details of this personnel matter that have not already been shared publicly,” Dr. John Masserini said in a written statement to 9NEWS.
In the statement, Masserini emphasized that Nieto “is not being removed from or leaving the university” and that she will remain a member of the faculty.
“....the Department of Chicana/o Studies is a vital part of the institution's mission,” Masserini said in the statement.
Read the entire statement below:
“The department chair role is an administrative appointment, not a faculty appointment. Chairs may be replaced when administrative tasks and operational goals are not met,” Masserini’s statement said.
Several students said they met with Masserini on Wednesday to try and persuade him to reverse his decision, but the meeting didn’t go well according to student Amelia Federico.
“We're all deeply saddened because MSU Denver prides itself on being an inclusive, diverse, and equitable university, right?” Federico asked.
“He didn't care. He was not backing down from his decision and I think that that is absolutely unexcusable and it makes me very, very frustrated,” Federico said.
Students said if Masserini's decision is not reversed, they may conduct a sit-in on campus to protest.
If you have any information about this story or would like to send a news tip, you can contact jeremy@9news.com.
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