Photos from Chapela's last class, 12/09/2004 | Flier

After a controversial tenure process Ignacio Chapela, the professor at UC Berkeley who sharply criticized the "public" university's $25 million deal with pharmaceutical giant Novartis, has been denied tenure. Chapela's 2001 discovery provided evidence of transgenic contamination that threatens the biodiversity of our planet and the safety of our food supply.

His tenure was was approved 32 to 1 by his department. But was rejected by the Chancellor (with recommendation of the Budget Commitee) who has ultimate authority. The decision drawed a wide range of protest and criticism from around the world. The most recent outpour was by the Graduate Assembly.

From the Tenure Justice Campaign:
"The time has come to act. Professor Ignacio Chapela's contract is ending and his last class at UC Berkeley is taking place this Thursday, Dec. 9 from 8:00 - 9:30 AM. The University has been completely unresponsive up to this point. If you have not had the chance to show your solidarity with Ignacio and the issues that he stands for, now is your chance."

Tenure Justice | Fault Lines Issue #1 on Biotech | Past Coverage of Chapela Case on Inbybay