Posted on 09/20/2013 12:31:43 PM PDT by Second Amendment First
University of Kansas journalism professor David Guth has been placed on administrative leave following a tweet he made on Monday about the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard in reference to the National Rifle Association.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little announced the decision on Friday.
"In order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment for students, the School of Journalism and the university, I have directed Provost Jeffrey Vitter to place Associate Professor Guth on indefinite administrative leave pending a review of the entire situation. Professor Guth’s classes will be taught by other faculty members," Gray-Little said in a statement.
After the Navy Yard shootings Monday, David Guth tweeted out "#NavyYardShooting The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you."
The Kansas State Rifle Association is condemning the tweet and calling for Guth to be fired. President Patricia Stoneking said in a statement, "The KSRA will do everything possible to see to the removal of this man. He should be fired immediately. His statements are outrageous!"
"Its one thing to engage in thoughtful dialogue and speak against something but it is quite another to incite violence," she added.
Asked by campusreform.com if he was sorry, Guth said he wouldn't take it back "one bit." KMBZ has reached out to Guth, but so far we have not heard back.
The University also decried Guth's statements on Thursday.
"While the First Amendment allows anyone to express an opinion, that privilege is not absolute and must be balanced with the rights of others. That’s vital to civil discourse," said Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications said also in a written statement.
"Professor Guth’s views do not represent our school and we do not advocate violence directed against any group or individuals."
Talk is cheap. Prove it by firing the b*stard.
Ha, not yet tenured? I love it.
Yemen, would be my taxpayer choice.
I think that info might’ve been incorrect - it’s *assistant* professors that generally lack tenure, associates usually do have it. The guy has been with KU since 1991, so he must be protected after 20+ years.
Outstanding.
If he has been there for 20+ years he would surely already have tenure. Most schools allow up to 6 years to make it.
MFO
He is a state employee. If tenure is an issue the legislature should sign a law allowing the governor to fire any state employee for any reason subject to over rule by the legislature only. The governor should fire the employee and if the professor is stupid enough to appeal to the legislature, it should back the governor and affirm his decision.
Every state should pass laws outlawing tenure at state supported institutions or permitting the governor to fire state employees.
Great. Another ****-up gets an extended paid vacay. I knew Brill (the Dean) would handle this with the typical liberal dexterity.
I bet if a conservative tenured prof (they exist, stop laughing) did something, they’d find a way to make his life so miserable he’d quit.
If the family of any NRA member is assaulted in any way the NRA should sue the employee of the university, and sue the university as long as he is connected to the university. Like the $PLC does the NRA can use the doctrine of vicarious liability. Merely get the criminal to admit that he is aware of what the employee of the university said.
I understand the schaden-freude. We, as Conservatives are under attack in the MSM all the time, so it feels good to see someone feel a little heat for it. But...
Do they have a morals clause in his employment contract?
I am wondering because while what he wrote was nasty, ignorant, and mean spirited, I do not think it was illegal.
We have free speech (or used to) in this country. What is he being fired for? Perhaps conduct unbecoming a professor?
A good case can be made for that.
As to the actual tweet, I think I see as bad on freerepublic every couple of days, directed toward “progressives”.
He should be fired, he has free speech but the employer also has the freedom to end the employment. He basically said some of his own students should be murdered.
If he had said Obama’s kids should be murdered do you think he would only be suspended?
I received the following email from the KU Chancellor after emailing her office regarding the professor’s tweet. The initial response I got yesterday came within two minutes of me emailing them. This came today.
I wonder if liberal institutions, and KU is indeed a liberal institution, ever see that there are cumulative consequences to their “anything goes” type of approach. Probably not until it hits them in the pocketbook. Lots of KU students are from gun owning families. For heaven’s sake, it sits right in the middle of ranch country!
KU Chancellor (kuchancellor@ku.edu)Add to contacts2:26 PM
From: KU Chancellor (kuchancellor@ku.edu)
Sent: Fri 9/20/13 2:26 PM
To:
Thank you for writing to me regarding the repugnant comments made by a member of our faculty on his personal Twitter account. The comments were inflammatory and in no way represent my views or the views of the University of Kansas.
In order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment for students, the School of Journalism and the university, I have directed Provost Jeff Vitter to place Associate Professor Guth on indefinite administrative leave pending a review of the entire situation. Professor Guth’s classes will be taught by other faculty members.
What I ask is that you not allow the comments by a lone professor impugn an entire university, and the thousands of students, faculty and staff who are part of our community.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Gray-Little
Chancellor
If Republicans had any guts, they would be telling the liberal worms that the Nazi professor is fired or lose your funding.
He's not being arrested.
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