A UNLV math professor is taking heat for comments he made on Facebook about undocumented immigrants.
The Rebel Yell reports George Buch’s (go figure) remarks ranged from the politically incorrect “illegal alien” to stating he would “have to turn [students] into ICE” and that there are “no safe spaces in [his] class.”
Of course, protests and condemnation followed.
“We as a student government condemn this behavior,” Student Body President Carlos Fernandez said during public comment to the NSHE Board of Regents Thursday morning.
“We will work with the UNLV President’s office to make sure there is action that comes from this.”
A UNLV student commented on Facebook “UNLV is a safe space, and faculty must comply with the rules of the institution.”
@UNLVCSUN President: “We as a student government condemn this behavior.” #unlv professor threatens to report students to ICE pic.twitter.com/I6EVkU2Mxy
— The Rebel Yell (@TheRebelYell) December 1, 2016
Buch’s comments also caught the attention of the Las Vegas community. Francisco Morales from the Center for Community Change Action organized a press conference Thursday afternoon to address Buch’s disparaging comments.
“Moving forward, we want to call on President [Len] Jessup to take action,” Morales said. “We want to make sure the actions of this instructor do not taint the reputation of UNLV.” …
“This kind of speech does not make students feel included on campus,” an undocumented student told the press. “This kind of speech should no longer be tolerated on campus.” …
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Fernandez spoke on behalf of the other student body presidents gathered behind the podium in front of the Carol C. Harter Classroom Building Complex.
“We will not allow professors to come to our campus and think that they own this campus and think that they can bring fear to students,” he said. “We are here to get an education and we are here to grow.”
Students from acrosd NV gather to fight back against George Buch #unlv #highered pic.twitter.com/Y8rTsO2Cac
— Scarlet & Gray Free Press (@UNLVFreePress) December 1, 2016
However, after the press conference reporters interviewed students in Buch’s class to get their opinions:
“He’s kept this environment professional,” one student said. “As long as I have what I need to learn, I’m good.”
The other students in his class and on the website Rate My Professors echoed this sentiment, stating that “he sincerely cares about his students.”
Buch apologized for his remarks, saying they were “intended to be a joke although clearly a poor one.”
“You may or may not have seen the Facebook posts. I’m extremely sorry for the comments. I know how hurtful they are to many of you,” he said. “I have never, nor will I ever, create a classroom of hate or intolerance.”
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