HC Professors to Resume Teaching Responsibilities

GOARCH - September 8, 1999
NEWS AND EVENTS

Holy Cross Professors to Resume Teaching Responsibilities

September 8, 1999

Statement of the Archiepiscopal Vicar Bishop George of New Jersey on the Reinstatement of the Four Professors at Holy Cross/Hellenic College

Upon learning of the decision of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College, Inc. to reinstate the four professors who had been removed from their teaching positions at the end of the 1997-98 academic year at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, the Archiepiscopal Vicar, Bishop George of New Jersey, gave the following statement:

"It is with deep joy and relief that the faithful of the Archdiocese of America receive the news that this unhappy situation has come to a rather satisfactory conclusion. This unfortunate episode began two years ago and has caused a great deal of pain to the hearts of many people, and has incurred a great deal of damage to the life and reputation of our holy and highest institution of learning in America. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I announce to you that the four professors-Rev. Protopresbyter Alkiviadis Calivas, Rev. Protopresbyter George Papademetriou, Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Stylianopoulos, and Rev. Economos Emmanuel Clapsis-have been fully reinstated to their academic posts and will begin their teaching responsibilities on September 9, 1999.

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, I want to express the appreciation of the entire Archdiocese of America to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College, Inc., and especially to the Vice-Chairman, for the courageous and fair decision to return these four most able priests and professors to their positions. I hope and pray that all of us will unite our efforts and give the administration and the faculty of the School all of the necessary means and resources, and especially our love and affection, so that it may continue to function peacefully in the fulfillment of its sacred calling."

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For Immediate Release:

From: The Office of the President
Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

September 8, 1999

PROFESSORS RESUME TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

In response to the recommendation of the 1998 Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress, the oard of Trustees of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, at its October 1998 meeting authorized the creation of a special committee made up of members of the Board of Trustees to consider the academic teaching status of the following four professors: Rev. Protobresbyter Alkiviadis Calivas, Rev. Protopresbyter George Papademetriou, Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Stylianopoulos, and Rev. Economos Emmanuel Clapsis. This special committee met on several occasions and on August 11, 1999 the committee met for a final time and agreed upon its final recommendations. The recommendations were forwarded to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees which met on August 25, 1999. After due consideration of the report and through conversations with members of that special committee, the Academic Affairs Committee, by unanimous consent, provided the Board of Trustees with specific recommendations regarding the four professors. On September 7, 1999 the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees reviewed these recommendations and made specific recommendations to the Acting Senior Officer of Hellenic College, Inc. for action. In agreement with these recommendations, Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology makes the following official and final statement with regards to the status of the above-mentioned professors.

With regard to Rev. Protopresbyter Alkiviadis Calivas: Fr. Calivas, whose status during the 1997-98 academic year was that of full-time Professor, is presently finishing a one-year sabbatical (academic year 1998-99), elected by him, during which he has received full pay and benefits. Fr. Calivas will return to the School at the beginning of the academic year commencing September, 1999 to resume his full-time teaching responsibilities as Professor of Liturgics.

With regard to Rev. Economos Emmanuel Clapsis: Fr. Clapsis currently serves as a parish priest in the Diocese of Boston. He has not been employed by Hellenic College, Inc. since August 1997. Fr. Clapsis will resume his full-time appointment as Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the beginning of the academic year commencing September, 1999.

With regard to Rev. Protopresbyter George Papademetriou: During the past two academic years (1997-98 and 1998-99) Fr. Papademetriou has retained his academic appointment as full-time Associate Professor of Systematic Theology. He will continue in this position at the beginning of the academic year commencing September, 1999.

With regard to Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Stylianopoulos: Fr. Stylianopoulos' status has always been understood as a tenured professor of Holy Cross. During the two previous academic years (1997-98 and 1998-99) he was not given any teaching responsibilities. In spite of that, however, he has continued to receive full salary and benefits from the Institution. Fr. Stylianopoulos will return to his full-time teaching duties as Professor of New Testament at the beginning of the academic year commencing September, 1999.

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