MOORPARK : College Instructor Fights to Keep Job

A Moorpark College professor who submitted his resignation last month after complaints that his writing assignment topics were too risque has changed his mind and is demanding to keep his job.

Richard Wimmer, 54, a part-time English instructor, said the administration denied him a chance to defend himself after complaints about his teaching methods from three students. The students said they were offended by some essay assignments made in the composition class, including one that asked them to describe themselves taking a shower.

Wimmer said a small group of his supporters were scheduled to meet today with a college official to ask that he be allowed to stay at the two-year college. About 150 students have signed a petition supporting him, and 40 students have written to college administrators, he said.

Alicia Long, a dean of the college, said Thursday that administrators have received letters on Wimmer’s behalf but that she was unaware of any scheduled meeting or of any changes in his status at the school.

Wimmer is scheduled to continue teaching until the semester ends Feb. 1.