Johns Hopkins University: Disciplining of Professor for Pro-War Remarks

Soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Johns Hopkins University Professor Charles H. Fairbanks voiced his support, at a public forum, for an aggressive campaign against states that harbor terrorists. He said that he would "bet anyone here a Koran" that his analysis was correct. One member of the audience charged that he sought to "assist people in conducting hate crimes" with his language. Even though Fairbanks apologized for his remark about the Koran, Dean Stephen Szabo demanded a written apology and eliminated his position as director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, claiming that Fairbanks was unfit for the job. After media criticism of this dismissal, Dean Szabo reversed his decision.

    Case Materials

  • "Johns Hopkins University," October 24, 2001: Soon after the terrorist attacks, Johns Hopkins University Professor Charles H. Fairbanks voiced his support, at a public forum, for an aggressive campaign against states that harbor terrorists. He said that he would "bet anyone here a Koran" that his analysis was correct. One member of the audience charged that he sought to "assist people in conducting hate crimes" with his language. Even though Fairbanks apologized for his remark about the Koran, Dean Stephen Szabo demanded a written apology and eliminated his position as director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, claiming that Fairbanks was unfit for the job. After media criticism of this dismissal, Dean Szabo reversed his decision.