LSU law professor,, not a fan of dear leader or the state guvnr, was suspended by the school. Judge said not so fast, but not because they weren't willing to suspend him for opposition political speech. Court blocks professor’s return after profane remarks about Trump, governor Levy was discussing how he had a no-recording policy in class because fellow professor Nicholas Bryner drew Landry’s ire last year for criticizing Trump the day after his election, according to his lawsuit. Levy told his students he stood by First Amendment free speech rights. If Landry were to retaliate against him for material he taught, Levy continued, “then f--- the governor,” according to lecture transcripts published by the Advocate. In his lawsuit, Levy said the remarks were made in jest. In another portion of the lecture, Levy expressed concern about the Trump administration’s impact on the judicial branch, noting he “couldn’t believe that f---er won,” according to the transcripts. After one student complained to Landry’s office, Levy was placed on leave pending an internal investigation, according to his lawsuit. The professor alleged in his lawsuit that he was not given a notice that informed him of policy violations nor a chance to respond to allegations, and argued that he was being punished over his speech. Levy, who has become a target of social media attacks by Landry, was reinstated Tuesday by a district judge while an investigation continued — but two days later, the First Circuit Court of Appeal issued a stay of that decision, placing Levy back under suspension. Landry called the appellate court’s decision a “good ruling” on X, adding, “Levy should stay far, far away from any classroom in Louisiana!” Landry’s office, LSU and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
It was a stupid way of expressing himself in a classroom. This is the kind of story that feeds the right-wing cry of indoctrination. This professor could have said the exact same things without the truck-driver language and without it being an obvious show of discontent for either person he was discussing. I am not sure I think he should be fired, but instructors should have better control and less personal opinions interjected into some of these classroom discussions. ESPECIALLY in a law school where every single word, and the context of those words, makes a big difference on how something interpreted.
Very true. One of my former poly sci professors is commonly on TV as a "Democratic blah, blah, blah" but you would have never known taking his class.
As a former teacher political opinions have no place in the classroom during class time. The only thing that should matter is the material being taught. Should he be fired? No but a letter of reprimand is warranted.
I agree with respect to elementary and secondary school teachers especially in public schools. Not so with college professors as long as they are tolerant of students whose views differ with theirs. College classrooms are an environment in which open discourse should be encouraged. I attended the UF in the late '60s and early '70s and had multiple professors who expressed opposition to the Vietnam War including criticism of Presidents Johnson and Nixon.
I agree if it is debate of ideas where the students participate in a back and forth dialogue with the professor and the intention is to develop critical thinking. If it is a lecture intended to program ideas, its junk teaching.
My first year at UF, I had a humanities teacher who would stand on his desk waving his arms and rant against the Bible and religion.
Yes and my husband, and other Vietnam veterans, had to keep their service quiet out of fear of retribution from those professors.
