Panel: University That Fired Jewish Professor Violated His Academic Freedom – Jewish Exponent

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, a tenured English literature professor at Linfield University, was fired from his job in 2021 after calling out what he said was antisemitic speech by its president. (Courtesy of Daniel Pollack-Pelzner via JTA.org)

By Andrew Lapin

A university in Oregon that fired a Jewish professor last year after he accused the schools president of making antisemitic commentsviolated the professors academic freedom, according toa new report by a group that represents university professors.

The American Association of University Professors concluded that Linfield University, a private school in McMinnville, violated academic freedom guidelines when itfired tenured English professor Daniel Pollack-Pelzner a year ago. The report, released last week, also said the university contributed to a culture of abuse by its actions.

Linfield fired Pollack-Pelzner shortly after the professor went public with his accusations against the schools president, Miles K. Davis. He accused Davis of making multiple antisemitic comments to faculty, including commenting on the size of Jewish noses and making jokes about sending Jews to gas chambers. Pollack-Pelzner also accused the school of covering up reports of sexual assault and instances of swastikas and other hateful messages painted on campus.

The standoff attracted attention from Jewish groups, with the Anti-Defamation League and the Oregon Board of Rabbisboth calling on Davis to resign. Local outlets reported that members of the university community who rallied behind Pollack-Pelzner were being intimidated into silence. Pollack-Pelzner subsequentlysued the university for $4 millionfor whistleblower retaliation and other claims; meanwhile,a parallel investigation by the local NAACPfound that Davis, who is Black, had been subjected to racism at the university, and it called the professors allegations into question.

Now, the AAUP report corroborates much of Pollack-Pelzners allegations against the school. It details how Linfield forced him out of his job and locked him out of his email without first holding a disciplinary hearing required for charges against a tenured professor. It also details how, as the school boards designated faculty trustee, Pollack-Pelzner had reported several relayed instances of sexual assault and harassment, as well as reported instances of swastikas and racial slurs found on campus, to the board, allegations that the report says were swept under the rug.

Linfield, which is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, did not participate in the AAUP investigation. In communications with faculty and local media, university spokespeopledenied the reports allegations and indicated they were prepared to fight them in court.

Pollack-Pelzners lawyer told Oregon Public Broadcasting that the AAUP report was a preview of what a jury could find in a court case against the university. Pollack-Pelzner is currently a visiting scholar at Portland State University, according to his website.

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Panel: University That Fired Jewish Professor Violated His Academic Freedom - Jewish Exponent