University of Pennsylvania: Law School Dean Postpones Professor Amy Wax’s Class for Unspecified Security Concerns

On November 22, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Dean Sophia Lee informed Law Professor Amy Wax that she could not host political commentator Jared Taylor in her seminar because Wax did not make security arrangements, despite having previously hosted Taylor without incident. Wax responded that this was the first time Penn had contacted her about security for her class and that she believed no security would be required. Without further notification to Wax, the Penn Law Registrar’s Office informed her class that the session would not take place in the law school. On December 17, FIRE wrote Penn, explaining that the university’s commitment to free speech precludes canceling expressive events for unspecific security concerns. We called on Penn to disclose any security concerns to Wax and provide the necessary security arrangements to allow her class to proceed at the law school.