Thread by @TheFIREorg

“Do the positives outweigh the negatives?”

It's a standard question asked of history students.

But when a @StJohnsU prof. posed it to his students about the “Columbian Exchange,” he was removed from his class, investigated, and found guilty of bias.

thefire.org/teaching-histo…

@StJohnsU Three days after this lesson, professor Richard Taylor was removed from teaching.

A month later, he was informed he violated the “University’s Policy against Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment."

He was not told which part of the over 2,300-word policy he allegedly violated.

@StJohnsU Taylor was denied access to the evidence used to support the finding that he violated university policy.

“St. John’s might want to ask a history professor about other authority systems that would punish you based on vague wrongdoing with no evidence,” said FIRE's @AdGo.

@StJohnsU @AdGo “Academic freedom presupposes the freedom to ask the uncomfortable questions,” said @AdGo, the author of FIRE’s letter.

"But at St. John’s, it appears some inquiries are forbidden.”

@StJohnsU @AdGo Taylor is set to meet with Interim Dean Gina M. Florio tomorrow to discuss “next steps.”

TAKE ACTION: Demand @StJohnsU reinstate professor Taylor immediately --->>>

thefire.org/teaching-histo…