Yale University issued a statement Tuesday, offering to rehire a black dishwasher who had originally resigned from his post after confessing to intentionally breaking a stained glass window that depicted slaves carrying cotton,Talking Points Memo reports.
The employee, Corey Menafee, resigned last month after admitting to using a broomstick to break the window inside a Calhoun College dining hall.
The statement noted that Menafee would be allowed to return to his position "in a different setting," starting next Monday, adding that the university was "willing to take these unusual steps given the unique circumstances of this matter."
Yale informed Mr. Menafee’s attorney that we are willing to grant his request for a second chance at Yale. Mr. Menafee, who resigned in June after he admitted intentionally breaking a stained glass window, has expressed deep remorse about his actions and informed us that he would like to rescind his resignation. He will be allowed to return to a position in a different setting, starting on Monday, after serving a five-week unpaid suspension (including the time since his resignation on June 21). Yale has already asked the State’s Attorney to drop all charges. We are willing to take these unusual steps given the unique circumstances of this matter, and it is now up to Mr. Menafee whether he wishes to return to Yale.
According to his attorney, Patricia Kane, Menafee was under the impression that Yale would not pursue criminal charges if he quit. However, the resignation agreement only specified that the university would not seek compensation for the window, Talking Points Memo notes in an earlier report.
Menefee had faced charges of misdemeanor reckless endangerment and felony criminal mischief in connection with the incident.
He had said that he was tired of looking at the "racist, very degrading" panel when he decided to knock it down.
In the aftermath, Menafee received quite a bit of support for his actions, USA Today College notes. His story started making social media rounds, and a GoFundMe was created on his behalf, raising $24,864 as of Tuesday evening.
Menafee formally requested to be reinstated through his union following the incident.