Earlier today, a student posted a video of of UC San Diego Organic Chemistry Lecturer Robert Ternansky uttering bigoted sentiments toward what appeared to be Latino workers or students. Ternansky is a lecturer in the chemistry department, where he currently teaches Chemistry 41A and 143C.
In the video, which is a recording of the class’s podcast, Professor Ternansky is heard saying, “how do you say quiet in Mexican? Callaite?” He then adds, “someone tell me if they start running in here with weapons” referring to those at the receiving end of his comments.
As of Oct. 14, the video has amassed nearly 2,000 reactions and 500 comments, with many urging Chancellor Khosla and the UCSD administration to take action. The student who posted the video, Alfonso Lazo-Cazarez, himself disclosed his anger, admonishing the lecturer for espousing “unfortunate and sad” rhetoric while diminishing the value of workers who ensure that the “university is functioning.”
It is unclear what disciplinary measures will be taken. Student leaders, however, have made statements of their own. For example, A.S. President Sky Yang commented under the video post, “Need to look into this!”, while the A.S. Office of Academic Affairs vowed to fight for proper consequences being brought against the lecturer, demanding that administrators remove the professor.
“We will not let this get swept under the rug as in previous years,” they stated in an Instagram post.
As Ternansky is not tenured and works primarily as a lecturer, repercussions may be harsher than they would be for tenured professors.
As of 5 p.m. on Oct. 14, the lecturer has released a terse 50-word apology on his course Canvas page, promising to publish a lengthier one in the near future. The university has yet to respond.
The UCSD Guardian will continue to update this story as it progresses.
Bruce • Oct 20, 2022 at 7:05 am
Thank you UCSD for taking action,let him take a course in treating peoples with respect, your late chemistry professor Harold Urey would had never done that.
Bruce • Oct 19, 2022 at 7:03 am
UCSD, this mentally disturbed lecturer sure has put a bad mark on your Chemistry department, what action you you have taken on this racist lecturer, maybe he had offer an apology but it’s time to let him go, a slap on the hand is not enough, this racist cockroach must go.
Scott • Oct 18, 2022 at 11:09 am
I guess simply treating everyone with respect and (dare I say it!) kindness is a bridge too far?
Gregory P Miller • Oct 18, 2022 at 6:05 am
It must really piss off Mike Soja that the professor didn’t call them “wetbacks” and be done with it. That’s because Mike Soja is a racist tard just like the professor.
Bruce • Oct 18, 2022 at 5:51 am
What if a Latino student had made a racial remark about the teacher race, he would had been expel or fail the class, supposed to be an Organic Chemistry class, thank God I wasn’t a student in this class, I wouldn’t had learn shit from this old sick man, UCSD, please let this old mentally sick man go
Mike Soja • Oct 18, 2022 at 3:02 am
Can you imagine the excitement that bloomed in the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Vice-chair person’s chest when the “racist” alarms went off across campus? If Netflix doesn’t buy the rights to this story, it deserves to lose another chunk of its user base. OMG, how *do* you say “Be quiet” in Spanglish? I imagine those Spanish-speaking men are just too traumatized to return to work today, so very sad.
Donna • Oct 16, 2022 at 10:16 am
Gee racist same thing with rape victim and her attackers. Just sweep it under the rug. Omg. Sad.
nyt wordle • Oct 15, 2022 at 1:53 am
Personally, I think this is not good. Man has freedom, all rights.