Students chime in on Chemerinsky

The recent Erwin Chemerinsky hiring, firing and rehiring as UC Irvine law school dean has not escaped the attention of new and returning students, many said during the first day of classes Thursday.

“I’m a little surprised they say [Chancellor Michael Drake] was influenced by outside sources,” said sophomore Catherine Drake, who is not related to the chancellor. “You see that more in high government. I wouldn’t expect it at a university.”

Chemerinsky, a prominent attorney and law professor at Duke University, was hired as UCI’s founding dean of the law school, set to open in 2009.

He was subsequently fired on Sept. 11 by Drake, who said it was a “managerial decision” and not a political one.

Chemerinsky stands by his early statements saying Drake told him he was too “politically controversial.” He was rehired as law dean Sept. 17.

“I think it shows a lack of leadership skills on Drake’s behalf,” senior Michael Smith said. “I had more confidence in him before this.”

Smith and most students seem to share the attitude of UCI faculty that Drake made a big mistake firing Chemerinsky, but made up for it by apologizing and rehiring him.

“This is a huge mistake, definitely. But I think he can recover from that if he truly is sincere,” Smith said.

“If he’s qualified for the job, and [Chemerinsky] is, then he should be hired,” said Bisher Aljazzar, a senior. “I think it was a good move on the university’s and Drake’s part to rehire him.”

Academics from across the political spectrum came to Chemerinsky’s defense, arguing that as an administrator he could effectively encourage an exchange of viewpoints.

UCI alumnus and conservative Raymond Kung agrees, saying Chemerinsky’s politics do not matter. “The academic reputation of UCI comes first.”

The academic senate, which acts on the faculty’s behalf, has set up a committee to interview Drake and report back to them by Dec. 15. They are seeking more details about why Drake dumped Chemerinsky.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.