“Judge Orders LSU to Reinstate Law Professor Sidelined for Political Comments”
From Louisiana Illuminator (Piper Hutchinson), reporting on this short restraining order:
A state judge has [temporarily] ordered LSU to allow its law professor Ken Levy to return to teaching duties. The university had removed Levy from the classroom pending an investigation into alleged criticism of Gov. Jeff Landry….
A hearing on a longer-term preliminary injunction is scheduled for Feb. 10 (WAFB, Chris Nakamoto):
LSU removed Levy from his tenured teaching position last week, following comments Levy made to his students about Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and President Donald Trump.
Back to the Illuminator:
In an affidavit to the court, Levy says that he brought up Landry’s reaction to comments of fellow law professor Nick Bryner during class. Levy asked his students not to record his lectures because he didn’t want to be targeted by Landry.
In November, Landry publicly asked LSU to discipline Bryner last year for his comments about President Trump the day after the presidential election. A video of Bryner’s comments were sent to the governor, who then circulated the video on social media.
“If Governor Landry were to retaliate against me, then f*** the governor and f*** that. — all of which was a joke and clearly said in a joking manner to highlight my no recording policy in class and the First Amendment,” Levy wrote in the affidavit…..
LSU has several policy statements and permanent memoranda that address disciplining a tenured faculty member. These policies call for several layers of review, all of which require peer faculty input. None of this happened before Levy was removed from his classes ….
The university is quoted as responding,
“While academic freedom protects speech, thought, and expression within the university setting to promote learning and knowledge, it does not provide a license to:
- Use the classroom as a platform for personal grievances beyond the scope of the course or otherwise.
- Demean or threaten students with differing viewpoints.
- Engage in gratuitous use of profanity, particularl
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
