Maryland Institute College of Art: Faculty Member Disciplined for Comments About Free Expression

Maryland Institute College of Art faculty member Saul Myers made comments in support of academic freedom and tolerating dissent at two faculty meetings and in an email to a colleague. In April 2021, the email recipient, who also attended the meetings, filed a harassment complaint. MICA concluded Myers’ speech did not amount to harassment, but issued him a written disciplinary warning based on the college’s expectation of “respectful interactions among members of its community.” On October 7 and November 16, FIRE wrote to MICA, explaining that the formal warning is inconsistent with the results of its investigation and that Myers’ speech is protected by MICA’s promises of free expression.