Marathon Pundit: UPDATED: Reinstate Thomas Klocek at DePaul petition just 37 signatures short of goal

Saturday, September 08, 2007

UPDATED: Reinstate Thomas Klocek at DePaul petition just 37 signatures short of goal

It's interesting that most of the strident supporters of former DePaul Professor Norman G. Finkelstein, such as Peter N. Kirstein, are oddly silent about the case of Thomas Klocek.

Ironically Kirstein, who is a professor of history at Chicago's St. Xavier University, will be speaking soon at DePaul, probably about academic freedom, or his selected perception of it.

Back to Klocek:

The Scholars for Peace in the Middle East has posted an online petition in support of Thomas Klocek.

To: Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D., President and Susanne M. Dumbleton, Ph.D., Dean of the School for New Learning, DePaul University

We, the undersigned faculty members from around the world, stand solidly with Professor Thomas Klocek, a Roman Catholic, who was dismissed by DePaul University for allegedly offending Muslim students when discussing Christian interests in Israel, disputing that Israeli treatment of Palestinians was akin to the Nazi treatment of the Jews and then terminating the discussion when it appeared that the students were more interested in Israel-bashing than discussing the issues.

We believe this case sheds serious questions on the commitment to academic freedom and civility in academic discussion with this egregious termination. We further believe that this action by administration has separated DePaul from the academic community.

It is our understanding that Prof. Klocek alleges:

1) He was never allowed to meet with his accusers.

2) He was never presented with a written list of the complaints or charges against him.

3) He was suspended by the Dean of the School for New Learning in clear violation of the University's own stated Faculty Handbook procedures.

4) He was never given a hearing.

5) A vote by the DePaul Faculty Council affirmed that the same rules that apply for a formal academic hearing apply to all professors, full-time and adjuncts alike.

As a result, we believe that Professor Klocek, a faculty member with a 15-year history of excellent evaluations and no prior complaints, was dismissed without due process and should be reinstated without penalty or prejudice and with back pay, restitution of benefits and compensation for his legal and other expenses incurred as a result of his being improperly terminated.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned