Widener University: Law School Threatens Professor's Academic Freedom
In December 2010, tenured law professor Lawrence J. Connell was banned from campus and charged with numerous violations of the university's Faculty Member Discrimination and Harassment Code, including using the term "black folks" and using hypothetical classroom scenarios (a common practice in law schools) involving law school dean Linda Ammons. In March 2011, after a faculty panel recommended that dismissal proceedings against Connell be dropped, Ammons allegedly induced two law students to refile harassment charges against Connell, and added a new charge of "retaliation" for defending himself and explaining his situation to his students. A second panel cleared Connell of all charges of harassment and discrimination, but found him responsible for retaliation. Widener President James T. Harris then accepted Ammons' recommendation that Connell be suspended for one year without pay and be forced to undergo a psychiatric or psychological evaluation before returning to Widener. Connell is currently suing Widener University, Dean Ammons, and the two students allegedly induced to file false charges against him.
- "The Neuberger Firm Press Release: Law Professor Exonerated for his Classroom Teaching," July 21, 2011
- "First Amended Complaint in Connell v. Ammons, July 4, 2011," July 4, 2011
- "Affidavit of Danielle Oppenheim, April 28, 2011," April 28, 2011
- "Original Complaint in Connell v. Ammons, April 8, 2011," April 8, 2011
- "FAX from Imperatrice, Amarant Capuzzi & Bell, P.C. to FIRE, March 25, 2011," March 25, 2011
- "Widener Law School Attempting to Fire Professor for Classroom Speech," March 23, 2011: Widener University School of Law is attempting to fire longtime criminal law professor Lawrence Connell by charging him with dubious violations of the school's harassment code, such as using the term "black folks" in class and using the names of law school Dean Linda L. Ammons and other law school colleagues as characters in class hypotheticals. Although a faculty panel has already recommended that Widener drop its "dismissal for cause" proceedings against Connell, administrators have reportedly induced students to issue further complaints under a new process that forces Connell to keep the details of the proceedings secret. Connell, who is represented by attorney Thomas S. Neuberger, also requested help from FIRE.
- "FIRE letter to Widener University President James T. Harris III, March 22, 2011," March 22, 2011
- "The Neuberger Firm Press Release: Widener Law Retaliates Against Conservative Prof," March 16, 2011
- "Widener University School of Law First Affidavit of Lawrence J. Connell," March 8, 2011
- "Widener University Informal Committee of Inquiry Recommendation, March 7, 2011," March 7, 2011
- "Statement of Reasons for Dismissal for Cause for Professor Lawrence Connell," February 24, 2011
- "Widener University Discrimination and Harassment Codes," October 28, 2009
- "Expectations, Rights, and Responsibilities: The Widener Compact," January 1, 2008
Case Materials
- "Widener Settles Lawsuit Filed by Law Professor who was Punished for Protected Speech," by Peter Bonilla, February 8, 2012
- "Hans Bader Deconstructs Widener's 'Retaliation' Argument," by William Creeley, January 4, 2012
- "Yes, Widener's Major Supporters Are Leaving Because of Law Dean's Treatment of Professor," by Peter Bonilla, August 31, 2011
- "Are Major Supporters Leaving Widener over Dean's Treatment of Law Professor?," by Adam Kissel, August 24, 2011
- "This Week in FIRE News: Warnings for Prospective Law Students at Widener and for College Parents Nationwide," by Joanna Brenner, August 12, 2011
- "'Chronicle of Higher Education' on Widener University's Unwarranted Suspension of Law Professor," by Joanna Brenner, August 9, 2011
- "Widener Law School, Dean Ammons Continue to Embarrass Themselves in Professor Connell Case," by Azhar Majeed, August 8, 2011
- "FIRE Cases Figure Strongly in 'Chronicle of Higher Education' Article on Retaliation Against Faculty Speech," by Peter Bonilla, August 3, 2011
- "Widener Law Prof Fully Cleared of 'Harassment' and 'Discrimination' Charges for Using Hypothetical Scenarios," by Adam Kissel, July 25, 2011: A unanimous hearing panel at Widener University School of Law in Delaware has fully cleared Professor Lawrence Connell of charges of "harassment" and "discrimination" for his use of the term "black folks" in class and for using law school dean Linda L. Ammons, who is black, as a character in hypothetical scenarios during lectures. A faculty panel had recommended that Widener drop its attempts to dismiss the tenured professor, but administrators reportedly induced students to issue further complaints to keep the prosecution going. Represented by attorney Thomas S. Neuberger, Connell is suing Ammons and Widener for defamation.
- "Embattled Widener Law Professor Adds Student Defendants in Defamation Lawsuit," by Adam Kissel, July 5, 2011
- "Widener Law Professor, Targeted For Firing, Sues Dean for Defamation," by Robert Shibley, April 8, 2011
- "Widener Law School Attempting to Fire Professor for Classroom Speech," by Robert Shibley, March 24, 2011
- "Law Prof Suspended for Fake Classroom Examples Is Cleared by Committee," by Adam Kissel, March 9, 2011
- "Law Professor Could Lose Job over Fake Classroom Examples," by Adam Kissel, February 16, 2011
Blog Entries
- "Spencer: Widener Law School faces objections,"
by Gil Spencer, The Delaware County Daily Times, August 12, 2011 - "Casual References to Violence Bring Serious Consequences for College Instructors,"
by Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 31, 2011 - "Faculty committe drops most charges against Widener prof, but the case is far from resolved,"
by Wade Malcolm, Delaware Online, July 29, 2011
