On December 20, 2019, Prof. Diane Klein, a full tenured professor at the University of La Verne College of Law, was placed on administrative leave and prohibited from any communication with "University staff/faculty," indefinitely. Prof. Klein is the president of ULV's AAUP chapter; she is an elected Faculty Assembly Senator; she is an elected member of the Faculty Ad Hoc Committee convened by ULV in relation to the transition of the ULV COL from an ABA-accredited program to a Cal Bar program. She is also a member of a Faculty Senate Subcommittee charged with drafting a resolution in support of a pending vote of no-confidence in the adminisitration of ULV, including its President, Devorah Lieberman. Prof. Klein is also the primary drafter of a key chapter of ULV's Faculty Handbook - a chapter which contains strong tenure-protective provisions, adopted unanimously by ULV's Board of Trustees, but currently under threat.
Prohibiting Prof. Klein from communicating with fellow faculty members, including chapter members and personal friends, is improper, retaliatory, and a violation of academic freedom. It is an interference with the operation of shared governance at ULV, and with the right of ULV's faculty members to representatives of their choosing.
We urge the University of La Verne - at a minimum - to reinstate Prof. Klein to her elected shared governance roles during the pendency of any investigation.
Updates
December 31, 2019
The administration at the University of La Verne tried to silence Diane Klein but this swell of support shows they have failed miserably. Devorah Lieberman and her team cannot bury this retaliation under a rug of administrative silence when so many people are watching.
Reached 100 supporters
December 31, 2019
41 Comments
Academic freedom and shared governance are central to university educational integrity and labor rights. Restore Prof. Klein’s rights to free speech now.
What does ULV have to hide? If they believe she has done something wrong, then it should come out in the administrative process, but a gag order is entirely unwarranted.
The timing of Diane's administrative leave (mere moments after the faculty senate voted to approve a no-confidence resolution against the university administration and the President) is deeply troubling.
Tenure is precious. Most of the time the need for it is not so apparent. Diane has done a lot to help us restore shared governance. The administration's free reign has been somewhat restrained and it appears that they are trying to retaliate. It is times like these that the need for tenure and faculty commitment to the academy is clearly apparent.
What's the basis for this disciplinary action!?!?!? Prof. Klein’s colleagues have a right to know and to participate in the process, as required by the University’s faculty handbook.
How can they prohibit you from talking to peers? How can that be enforced?
Assoc. Professor of Classics and AAUP membership director at Miami University
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
On December 20, 2019, Prof. Diane Klein, a full tenured professor at the University of La Verne College of Law, was placed on administrative leave and prohibited from any communication with "University staff/faculty," indefinitely. Prof. Klein is the president of ULV's AAUP chapter; she is an elected Faculty Assembly Senator; she is an elected member of the Faculty Ad Hoc Committee convened by ULV in relation to the transition of the ULV COL from an ABA-accredited program to a Cal Bar program. She is also a member of a Faculty Senate Subcommittee charged with drafting a resolution in support of a pending vote of no-confidence in the adminisitration of ULV, including its President, Devorah Lieberman. Prof. Klein is also the primary drafter of a key chapter of ULV's Faculty Handbook - a chapter which contains strong tenure-protective provisions, adopted unanimously by ULV's Board of Trustees, but currently under threat.
Prohibiting Prof. Klein from communicating with fellow faculty members, including chapter members and personal friends, is improper, retaliatory, and a violation of academic freedom. It is an interference with the operation of shared governance at ULV, and with the right of ULV's faculty members to representatives of their choosing.
We urge the University of La Verne - at a minimum - to reinstate Prof. Klein to her elected shared governance roles during the pendency of any investigation.
Updates
December 31, 2019
The administration at the University of La Verne tried to silence Diane Klein but this swell of support shows they have failed miserably. Devorah Lieberman and her team cannot bury this retaliation under a rug of administrative silence when so many people are watching.
Reached 100 supporters
December 31, 2019
41 Comments
A strong voice is what has always made the difference in our American freedoms. Retaliation is expected by administrators when faculty engage in strong self-advocacy, but what Prof. Kleins is experiencing is beyond “expectations”. It is extreme and entirely unreasonable. Restore her now.
Academic freedom and shared governance are central to university educational integrity and labor rights. Restore Prof. Klein’s rights to free speech now.
What does ULV have to hide? If they believe she has done something wrong, then it should come out in the administrative process, but a gag order is entirely unwarranted.
The timing of Diane's administrative leave (mere moments after the faculty senate voted to approve a no-confidence resolution against the university administration and the President) is deeply troubling.
Tenure is precious. Most of the time the need for it is not so apparent. Diane has done a lot to help us restore shared governance. The administration's free reign has been somewhat restrained and it appears that they are trying to retaliate. It is times like these that the need for tenure and faculty commitment to the academy is clearly apparent.
What's the basis for this disciplinary action!?!?!? Prof. Klein’s colleagues have a right to know and to participate in the process, as required by the University’s faculty handbook.
How can they prohibit you from talking to peers? How can that be enforced?
Assoc. Professor of Classics and AAUP membership director at Miami University
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
A strong voice is what has always made the difference in our American freedoms. Retaliation is expected by administrators when faculty engage in strong self-advocacy, but what Prof. Kleins is experiencing is beyond “expectations”. It is extreme and entirely unreasonable. Restore her now.