NEW YORK – A Columbia University professor who drew widespread attention when a noose was discovered hanging from her office door has been fired over allegations of plagiarism.

Teachers College administrators said in a letter to faculty Monday that professor Madonna G. Constantine's appeal of the plagiarism charges has been rejected.

Bill Anderson, a spokesman for Teachers College, said Constantine had been terminated, but that she could challenge the dismissal.

Her attorney, Paul Giacomo, says she has until July 15 to decide.

Constantine was sanctioned in February after an investigation found she used others' work without attribution in papers she published in academic journals. She was allowed to keep her job and to appeal the ruling.

The New York Police Department has been investigating the Oct. 9 discovery of the noose.