DePaul Professor Suspended for Views on the Middle East · 13 March 2005
Contact: Tom Ciesielka
Tuesday March 1 312-422-1333
Cell 312-403-1333
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DePaul Professor Suspended for Views on the Middle East
Demands Public Apology from University President at Press Conference
Trustees Given Deadline to Avoid Litigation
Chicago…Energized debates with a mix of politics, religion, and personal identity are expected on a university campus. But not at DePaul University. Last fall, Professor Thomas Klocek, who has a spotless 15-year record, was censored and suspended without a hearing for challenging the viewpoints of certain Muslim students on campus. During a student activities fair, Professor Klocek disputed the content of literature distributed by the Students for Justice in Palestine. After being libeled, slandered, and suspended by DePaul for speaking out, Professor Klocek insists on a public apology from DePaul's president. On Tuesday, March 1 at 11:00 am at a press conference outside the DePaul Student Center, Lincoln Park Campus (corner of Sheffield and Belden in Chicago), Professor Klocek, with his mouth taped shut and his hands and arms bound, will have his attorney read his demands to DePaul. Joining him will be professors and students from DePaul who want academic freedom restored.
Middle East Debate Sparks Conflict
On September 15, 2004, a Student Activities Fair was held at the DePaul Loop Campus. Among the student groups at the fair was Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). When Professor Klocek came to the SJP table, he took a handout that showed an Israeli bulldozer destroying a Palestinian house. A discussion began and Professor Klocek sought to inform the students that a third paradigm, neither Muslim nor Jewish, but Christian, should be considered. Later, one of the students likened the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians to Hitler's treatment of the Jewish people. Professor Klocek took strong offense at that allegation and challenged it. - more -
DePaul University Violated Its Own Due Process on Suspending Professors
In late September, 2004, Professor Klocek was called to meet with Suzanne Dumbleton, Dean of the School for New Learning at DePaul. At the meeting, Dean Dumbleton referred to two letters complaining about his conduct, one from the SJP and another from United Muslims Moving Ahead. During the meeting, Dean Dumbleton told Professor Klocek that he was suspended. However, according to DePaul's policy, a suspension may not be effected, except in an emergency, for any full or adjunct faculty member without an academic hearing. To date, such a hearing has never taken place.
DePaul Admits Professor Klocek Has an Impeccable Record with the University
The DePaulia, DePaul's student newspaper, reported on this incident in the article, "Loop Professor Takes Heat for Conduct (October 1, 2004)." The article quotes Dean Dumbleton's statement, which said that Klocek had a "positive career for 15 years" and there have never been any complaints from students. In addition, Professor Klocek has collected hundreds of glowing reviews from students over the years.
"DePaul's suppression of free speech must end. A public apology from the President, Reverend Dr. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. stating that DePaul violated its own policies in suspending Professor Klocek without written charges, without a hearing, and without the right to confront witnesses against him is an important first step. DePaul should pledge to institute safeguards against violating academic freedom in the future," said John Mauck, attorney for Professor Klocek. "To avoid litigation, we've delivered a detailed letter to DePaul's Trustees asking for their response by March 8."
NOTE: Letter to Trustees with history of case and demands available upon request.
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