Thread by @TheFIREorg

Today, @babson announced its completion of a “thorough investigation” — which started yesterday — into an adjunct professor’s satirical Facebook post.

It terminated the professor.

In doing so, it abandons its many stated commitments to free expression.

thefire.org/babson-college…

@babson The professor’s post was a response to President Trump’s tweeted threat to target 52 Iranian sites, including cultural sites:

@babson It strains credulity to read the post as sincerely advocating violence. In political rhetoric, figurative and hyperbolic language are familiar tools, and the post is quite obviously a criticism — not endorsement — of threats of violence, mixed with snark about American culture.

@babson And while Babson is a private institution, and thus not bound by the First Amendment, it does promise its faculty and students that the college will respect their freedom of expression in its faculty handbook, student policies, and on its website.

@babson In 2016, we defended conservative Babson students who faced punishment for celebrating President Trump's election.

In that case, Babson ultimately protected freedom of expression.

But not this time.

thefire.org/babson-college…

@babson While some might prefer that faculty speak only in sober, considered tones, freedom of expression embraces “the right to criticize public men and measures—and that means not only informed and responsible criticism, but the freedom to speak foolishly and without moderation.”

@babson If freedom of expression means anything, it certainly means the right to criticize our President.

@babson Babson’s process-free departure from its stated commitments threatens to do far more damage to its reputation than a momentary social media storm ever could.

To save its good name, the college should reinstate the professor immediately.

@babson Earlier today — before the professor was fired — we sent a letter to Babson President @SpinelliS, pointing out the obvious and demanding the school end the suspension and drop the investigation.

You can read our letter here:

thefire.org/fire-letter-to…