Iyelli Ichile: Resigned.
IN YET ANOTHER blow to Temple University's African American Studies Department, another professor, Iyelli Ichile, has suddenly resigned - three weeks before the start of the new school year.
Ichile, who taught African-American studies and served as the undergraduate chairwoman, resigned Monday, citing family reasons, according to department chairman Molefi Asante.
Classes at Temple are set to begin Aug. 25.
The department was the target of protests last spring over the firing of professor Anthony Monteiro.
Contacted by telephone, Ichile declined to comment.
In an email to students and faculty Tuesday, Asante described Ichile as "one of our most active and valued faculty members.
"Of course, we were stunned and broken hearted; however, we must wish her well and regroup and move forward with the work to be done for the next year."
Asante, who did not respond to an email request for comment, wrote that Ichile and her fiance both found jobs at Florida A&M University "and will be moving there immediately."
Temple student leader Paul Cange, who led some of the protests over Monteiro's dismissal, said students were shocked to learn Ichile is leaving.
"She was so important in the department, and she was well-liked," Cange said.
He said he had registered for his first class with her in the upcoming semester.
As undergraduate chairwoman, Ichile helped students who majored and minored in African-American studies stay on track with their classes.
In an email, Cange wrote: "As a student in the African American Studies Department, I am very confused as to what is happening in my department, [four] professors are gone from last semester and not one has been replaced.
"And I feel that the university administration, especially the provost, should step in to help rectify the situation within the department."
Temple spokesman Ray Betzner said: "We will meet our obligation to our students and we will cover these classes."
One graduate student, who did not want to be named, said she did believe Ichile was leaving for family reasons.
"It's sad, but I don't think it's related to politics," she said.