Calls for UNH tenured professor, William Woodward, to be fired, citing obligations of academic responsibility
Political leaders in New Hampshire are calling for University of New Hampshire tenured professor, William Woodward, to be dismissed for presenting his conspiracy theory views on 9/11 in class. Last semester, he discussed 9/11 conspiracy theories in his political psychology class, and wants to teach a class this fall that explores 9/11 “in psychological terms — terms like belief, conspiracy, fear, truth, courage, group dynamics”.
- UNH Professor Faces Criticism for 9-11 Theories - New Hampshire Public Radio (August 29, 2006)
- Professor’s 9/11 theories outrage NH leaders - Union Leader (August 27, 2006)
- The nutty professor: UNH needs an investigation - Union Leader (August 28, 2006)
Citing Academic Freedom, the University of New Hampshire has stood by Woodward, and refuses to fire him. Though with Academic Freedom, comes Academic Responsibility, which dictate that professors “should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.” (pgph B), “should at all times be accurate”, and “should exercise appropriate restraint“. (pgph C)
AAUP interpretation of Academic Freedom states:
If the administration of a college or university feels that a teacher has not observed the admonitions of paragraph (c) of the section on Academic Freedom and believes that the extramural utterances of the teacher have been such as to raise grave doubts concerning the teacher’s fitness for his or her position, it may proceed to file charges under paragraph 4 of the section on Academic Tenure. In pressing such charges, the administration should remember that teachers are citizens and should be accorded the freedom of citizens. In such cases the administration must assume full responsibility, and the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges are free to make an investigation.” [1]
“…a faculty member’s expression of opinion as a citizen cannot constitute grounds for dismissal unless it clearly demonstrates the faculty member’s unfitness for his or her position” [1]
The bottom-line: Has Woodward’s political psychology teachings crossed the line beyond “expression of opinion” and is relevant to the course subject? In a course on 9/11 “in psychological terms, would the professor be able to “at all times be accurate”, and exercise appropriate restraint“?