Saint Xavier University: Reprimand of Professor for Anti-Military Comments
Peter N. Kirstein, a tenured Professor at Saint Xavier University in Illinois found himself suspended after he responded to a student's request for advice. The student, an officer candidate in the University's ROTC program, requested counsel regarding the publicizing of an upcoming student-debate forum. Professor Kirstein, himself a pacifist, expressed his disapproval of the military and foreign policy in his response to the student's e-mail. Although the case was never resolved, several organizations came out on behalf of Professor Kirstein, including the National Academy of Scholars and the American Association of University Professors, and FIRE drafted a letter to University President Richard Yanikoski.
- "FIRE Letter to Saint Xavier University President Richard A. Yanikoski, November 20, 2002," November 20, 2002
Case Materials
- "The Chill Is Nothing New,"
by Greg Lukianoff, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 9, 2005 - "Saint Xavier professor defends his right of free speech,"
by Peter Kirstein, Daily Southtown, August 7, 2005 - "Life After Controversy,"
by Dan Lavoie, Daily Southtown, July 31, 2005 - "Saint Xavier U. Suspends Professor for E-Mail Message,"
by Richard Morgan, The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 6, 2002
