DENVER -- Several newspapers reported Friday that controversial professor Ward Churchill and the University of Colorado have reached a dollar amount in terms of a buyout proposal and an announcement of a settlement is expected within the next day or so. Less than 12 hours later there were reports that the buyout was stalled.

It is not known what dollar amount a settlement might amount to, but it is likely more than what Churchill makes a year -- $94,242. The buyout would be worth much less than $1 million and possibly less than $500,000, sources told The Denver Post. Other media reports put the amount at $350,000 to $400,000 dollars.

All of this comes just days before the CU Regents are set to release their report on Churchill. The report could recommend that Churchill be fired but then the tenured professor could sue the university and the regents.

There is no official word from CU about a buyout but there is plenty of talk about money and the only real question that seems to be left now is the amount and whether the university is willing to make a deal with Churchill. Sources told the newspaper that both sides must now grapple with whether they can accept the implications of the deal.

Churchill, 57, has said that he wants to make sure his reputation isn't sullied as he leaves CU and that the university puts out no statement denigrating his scholarship or his right to free speech.

Churchill's attorney has said it would take a handsome settlement for the ethnic studies professor to step aside. But he may also want to step out of the spotlight. Since news of his essay broke, everything from his academic background, his ethnicity (whether he is a true "American Indian" ), his military service and his art work, have been thorougly examined.

Obviously, some people don't want to give Churchill a penny but now many administrators and students on the campus say a deal to end the standoff makes sense.

"I agree with the motive, just to get the whole thing behind us," one CU student said.

"I think a buyout is ridiculous because it's free speech but if that's what it means for good press for CU, that's what should be done," another student said.

If the school does offer Churchill a buyout, some politicians who have called for him to be fired will not be happy. They have publicly denounced his writings, which compared victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to a Nazi leader, and have argued some of his writings are anti-American because they encourage violence against the United States.

Gov. Bill Owens opposes a settlement but acknowledged through a spokesman, "It's the Board of Regents' call."

The CU Regents' report would be moot if indeed a buyout deal is reached before then, however reports surfaced Friday afternoon that said the buyout was stalled while charges of plagiarism were being investigated.

A CU spokeswoman would only say the review of Churchill was taking longer than expected.

Professor Says Churchill Plagiarized Her Work

The Rocky Mountain News reported Friday that a professor in Nova Scotia has accused Churchill of plagiarizing her work and threatening her if she told anyone.

In documents that CU received this week, Fay G. Cohen said that Churchill used her research and writing in an essay without her permission and without giving her credit. Although the Dalhousie University officials substantiated her allegations, Cohen didn't pursue the matter because she felt threatened by Churchill, a school spokesman said.

Cohen told Dalhousie officials in 1997 that Churchill had called her in the middle of the night and said, "I'll get you for this," the News reported. Cohen had written the essay, about Indian treaty fishing rights in the Northwest and Wisconsin, in 1991 and it was included in a book of essays that Churchill had edited. However, when publishers wanted to reprint the book, Cohen didn't want her essay included so Churchill wrote an essay on the same topic and said he took the lead role in preparing the essay, she said.

Students In Washington Show Support For Professor

Meanwhile, Eastern Washington State University near Spokane is just one of the schools that has canceled an appearance by Churchill. Now, some students there are showing support for the embattled professor.

Several students held a march and rally Thursday to urge the university to allow Churchill to speak on campus about Native American issues and censorship. Many called his canceled appearance a violation of free speech. Churchill said he plans to visit EWU on April 5 whether the school likes it or not. He will not be allowed into public buildings unless the school invites him.