The portal “Chicago na dlanu” reached out to the administration of Wilbur Wright College (City Colleges of Chicago) regarding reported alleged incidents in which, according to claims, English professor Vincent Bruckert made statements against the Serbian, Russian, and Orthodox Christian communities.
Allegations tied to two reported incidents
According to information and documentation available to the newsroom, two alleged incidents were reported in October 2023.
The “Chicago na dlanu” portal contacted the leadership of Wilbur Wright College (City Colleges of Chicago) regarding allegations of incidents in which, according to the complainant, English professor Vincent Bruckert made statements directed against the Serbian, Russian, and Orthodox communities. 
Allegations tied to two reported incidents
According to information and documentation available to the newsroom, two alleged incidents were reported in October 2023:
During the “State of the College” event, according to statements from those present, Bruckert allegedly referred to the Serbian, Russian, and Orthodox Christian communities as “genocidal” and told a Serbian female colleague that she “has no right to identify as a Serbian because she lives and pays taxes in America.” According to available information, at least six people were present on that occasion, including two Orthodox Christians (a Serbian woman and a Greek woman) and a colleague married to a Russian woman. According to messages and emails that the editorial team had access to, one employee stated that they confirmed the allegations from the report.
Witness claims from the engineering department
A few days later, in the engineering department premises, according to witness accounts, he again used the term “genocidal Orthodox Christians and Russians,” addressing a Serbian female colleague and a Russian female student, in the presence of employees Bridget O’Connell, Ruzica Todorovic и Dr. Doris Espiritu.
Complaint filed with college administration and the EEOC
An employee of Serbian origin who, according to her own statement, was directly exposed to these alleged statements on two occasions, reported the incidents to the administration of Wilbur Wright College. According to the report, she was not informed of any specific measures that were taken.
Subsequently, a formal complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency of the United States that handles the protection against workplace discrimination. In the official response that the college submitted to the EEOC, which was available to the editorial team, it states that the college is aware of the reported incidents.
Request for comment brought no response
The editorial team of “Chicago na dlanu” sent an official request for comment to the college’s administration, but they stated that they do not wish to comment on these allegations.
“Chicago na dlanu” will continue to monitor this case and will inform the Serbian public in Chicago of any potential new information.
Who received the request
The request was sent to the college’s administration at the following addresses:
• Juan Salgado – Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
• Dr. Andrés A. Oroz – President, Wilbur Wright College
• Dr. Mark Potter – Provost and Chief Academic Officer
• Anthony Ribaudo – Director of Human Resources, Wilbur Wright College
• Veronica Resa – Director of Media Relations
• William Marsh – Department Chairperson, English
• Tara Whitehair – Department Chairperson, English
• Vincent Bruckert – Associate Professor of English
Right of reply remains open
All of the aforementioned individuals and institutions have the right to respond, and the editorial team is ready to publish their statement.
Photo: Wikimedia
