As a former gymnast graduated from Indiana State University, I have come to Northern Illlinois University for two reasons: to continue my education and to learn as much as I can from internationally known former gymnast and biomechanics professor, Dr. Yoshiaki Takei.

At the time I started my education at Northern Illinois University, I considered myself lucky to have the opportunity to work with and be taught by Dr. Takei. However, in the past week, I have learned that the physical education department has decided to dismiss Dr. Takei. This decision concerns me deeply as I can no longer continue my thesis project in biomechanics under the direction of such a highly qualified instructor.

As a graduate teaching assistant of the physical education department, I have assisted and co-taught physical education classes with Dr. Takei. During this period, I have realized how seriously he takes his profession, how much learning takes place in his classes and how much his students appreciate his work.

This semester, I have been going to the biomechanics laboratory frequently in order to learn how to operate the equipment. I discovered that some of the equipment has been broken since August, thus rendering the laboratory not fully functional to conduct faculty research and master thesis projects.

Myself a minority here, I cannot help but wonder if Dr. Takei’s nationality was a factor in the decision to dismiss him. In this case, I believe the university’s policies in regard to recruiting and retaining minority students, as well as faculty members, are not being upheld. Finally, my classmates and I would like to ask these questions: why is Dr. Takei being dismissed and why were we not informed of this decision?

Carlos Silvestre

graduate

physical education