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ST. GEORGE — A large gathering of peaceful protesters at the Dixie State University campus Monday morning ensured that the first day of the school year would be anything but routine.
Students, alumni, teachers and community members of all ages made their grievances clear, saying the university’s treatment of a beloved music professor, Ken Peterson, is a grave injustice.
The protesters rallied in the heart of the university campus near the newly built clock tower then moved to the steps of the university library. Organizers said about 100 people participated in the gathering over the course of three hours. Demonstrators held handmade signs questioning and criticizing the university administration’s treatment of Peterson and other professors.
With phrases like "Stop the Abuse of Power" and "Investigate Dixie State", the colorful signs attracted the attention of curious students on their way to class, who protest leader Corinne McFerran and other vocal participants took the time speak to.
"We’re all here because he (Peterson) deserves his rights; he deserves to be treated with respect,” said McFerran, a DSU music graduate who heads the watchdog website Full Disclosure DSU.
Peterson, who was present at Monday’s demonstration, was fired from his 16-year tenured teaching position in March for allegedly violating university policy but was later reinstated after his case was reviewed by the Utah System of Higher Education. However, DSU’s terms of reinstatement have been decried as stiflingly infeasible.
“It’s a horrible, horrible document that they were unwilling to negotiate because they frankly just didn’t want him working here, and they’re trying to get away with that,” protest leader Corinne McFerran said of the contractual agreement that the university insisted Peterson sign in order to be reinstated.
To read the full story, visit St. George News.
