JBHE: Latest News for 4/29/10

Haki Madhubuti Resigns His Post at Chicago State University

Haki R. Madhubuti, prolific African-American author and poet, has resigned his position as Distinguished University Professor at Chicago State University. Professor Madhubuti taught at Chicago State for 26 years and founded the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing. Madhubuti is also the founder and chair of Third World Press.

In a statement, Madhubuti said that he resigned because of a dispute with university president Wayne Watson. Last year, Professor Madhubuti opposed Watson’s appointment as president of the university. Madhubuti claims he was demoted in retribution for his opposition to Watson. He was removed from the paid staff of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center, had his teaching load increased, and was demoted to volunteer status at the master’s program in creative writing that he had founded at Chicago State. In the statement, Madhubuti said, “I am convinced that this move against me is personal and vindictive.”