Restore Prof. Diane Klein's Shared Governance Rights Now

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.

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

Bullying of academics is a real problem and this is an example of the extremes that some will go to in order to silence outspoken faculty.

There should be no penalties for fighting in favor of academic quality.

Retired full Professor, Univ. Of Louisiana

Signing in solidarity and with hopes for Prof. Klein's speedy and unlimited return to her academic community!

The AAUP sent a letter to the Provost on January 6 that states in relevant part: .....our review of this evidence has led us to conclude that you have not followed any of the procedures laid out by Section 4.3 of the Faculty Handbook pertaining to “Involuntary Surrender of Tenure and Termination/Non-Reappointment for Cause,” and that you have engaged in a retaliatory pattern of disciplinary actions that not only targets Professor Klein with animus and without just cause, but also violate her right to participate in shared governance, with the very specific intention to exclude her from participating in a most delicate phase in the history of your institution.

Academic freedom and shared governance are central to university educational integrity and labor rights. Restore Prof. Klein’s rights to free speech now.

Bring her back

Just to be clear, threatening to “assassinate” a colleague for exercising their legitimate academic freedom is NOT protected academic freedom. There is more to this story. No university would take such an action without good reason, like protecting life.

Standing up for oneself should be encouraged, and standing up for others should be rewarded with respect. I am disheartened by the treatment suffered by Professor Klein and fully support her cause.

Expressing opinions should be protected speech and is a key purpose of tenure at universities.

This is an injustice.

Solidarity!

Where is the transparency here? Diane, you’ve done so much for the faculty. I thank you and I support you wholeheartedly!

Due process is for everyone. Employer retaliation is for no one.

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.

This is completely unacceptable and counter to any minimally reasonable expectation of shared governance and ethical practice.

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.