Fight for the Rights of John Rubadeau

Of all the professors I had at U-M none of them were as invested in the development of their students the way John was. I can say with confidence there is no professor in LS&A who can have the same impact on students' lives as John Rubadeau. As more becomes clear about the allegations, I hope the University and the English department will reconsider how they choose to handle this situation.

Best professor I’ve ever had! I looked forward to going to his class every day and I took two of his courses!

John was the best professor I had at Michigan. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to take his class. His mantra to always "scratch your itch" continues to serve me well. The University of Michigan is undoubtedly worse off without him.

John taught me love for the English language and love for the human condition. It was the most invaluable lesson of my college career.

This unfair termination will rightly set a precedent of fear for all other professors at UoM. We cherish John, because he represents what our school is all about - free speech and safe spaces to share our deepest questions and opinions. Deciding to remove him is a mistake with many repructions to come. Please, reconsider.

John was the anomaly of my University of Michigan education. The only class I took entirely electively and the only man who felt just as much of a mentor and friend as he did a teacher. It was a forever pleasure having sat around a small rectangular table twice a week for four months with John Rubadeau.

I learned so much in John's English class. He truly invests in every student he teaches and created one of the most positive, dynamic, and supportive classroom environments I have ever had the pleasure of joining. Our 425 semester got together outside of mandatory classes and still engages with one another 4 years later. Please review John's case.

I learned more in John's class than I did in all my other classes combined. Not to mention, the content has been the most valuable for my professional career.

Class of 2010

I have been to John’s house, met his wife, and spent hours in his office, where he constantly supported me, encouraged me as a professor, a mentor, and a friend.

This man changed my life. His classroom brought together people from all different walks of life and created an environment where that group of people were able to share things they wouldn’t share with the people closest to them

I learned so much about writing and life in John's class. John's "class," of course, extends beyond the classroom walls to his office covered with photos of John with students, to lunches at Jerusalem Garden years after graduating, to the weddings he officiates, and to the email lists he maintains, continuing his outreach to and unpaid mentorship of students for years after graduation. John is the only UM professor with whom I am still in contact over ten years after graduation. He has been a true mentor and friend and a teacher whose passion I hope to emulate in my own career. I hope many more students will have a chance to take John's class. Especially now, we need people like John who can engage students while teaching them to communicate clearly and truthfully.

John was the best professor I ever had. I use the lessons he taught me every day. I’m an English professor now in Washington state, partly because of John. He should leave the University on his own terms, after so many decades of service to students.

Best professor at Michigan. This would be an enormous mistake on numerous levels.

My class with John was the highlight of my time in the english department. His authenticity, honesty, and trust that he builds in the classroom is unparalleled. He is the best of what the University of Michigan has to offer. One merely has to look at the pictures that wallpaper every inch of his office to see the impact he has had on student's lives.

John Rubadeau is a University of Michigan staple. His class was one of, if not, the best class I took during my 4 year experience and he has left a lasting impact on my career as a writer and a human being.

John Rubadeau taught a class that truly shaped who I am—for the better. Every student at UofM should be lining up to take his class.

The best professor I had during my time at the University. Taught not only the mechanics of the English language, but also about life. "Untraditional" but that is what made him so great and appealing to students. A HUGE loss for the University if John is removed.

I graduated 8 years ago and John was my favorite teacher by far throughout my entire time at Michigan. It is a shame Michigan would do this.

While I only had the privledge of taking one class with John, he was by far and away one of the best and most influential professors during my time at Michigan. He taught me more in a semester than I had learned in years of English courses. He not only is a great teacher, but a great person, friend, and mentor. The Michigan community and student body needs more professors like John who truly care and value their students more than just based on the assignments they turn in. Thanks for everything John!