The Chronicle News Blog: Finkelstein Supporters Stage Protest at DePaul U.’s Convocation
Ten to 20 professors joined roughly 30 students and community members in a silent protest today at DePaul University’s fall convocation over how the institution has treated Norman G. Finkelstein. Mr. Finkelstein, a controversial political scientist, was denied tenure at the university last spring. And just this week, DePaul announced that it had put Mr. Finkelstein on leave for the duration of his final year, and canceled the courses he had been scheduled to teach.
At today’s convocation, the students carried posters and banners and wore T-shirts that said, “We are all Professor Finkelstein.” Some professors also wore the shirts under their robes. Kathryn Weber, president of the DePaul Academic Freedom Committee, a students’ group formed in reaction to the tenure decision, said a larger protest was scheduled for the first day of classes, next Wednesday. Mr. Finkelstein has vowed to teach his classes, regardless of DePaul’s announcement, and said he is prepared to “engage in nonviolent civil disobedience and go to jail.” —Elizabeth Quill
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