LSU Shreveport Professor Fired Amid Controversy Over Free Speech and Academic Freedom

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: LSU Shreveport Professor Terminated Over Alleged Disruptive Speech

In Baton Rouge, on March 20, 2023, tensions have escalated at LSU Shreveport as a tenured professor, Brian Salvatore, was terminated from his position following accusations of “disruptive behavior.” This decision has sparked debates about academic freedom and the limits of free speech at the university.

The Who, What, When, and Where

The announcement came from LSU System President William Tate, who cited Salvatore’s behavior as problematic during Faculty Senate meetings. Salvatore, a tenured chemistry professor and longstanding Faculty Senate member, officially became a former faculty member on Friday, March 17, 2023. The dismissal stemmed from a panel’s recommendation following 13 allegations made by the university’s administrators.

Allegations and Responses

The allegations primarily revolved around Salvatore’s speech. He maintains that his remarks aimed at urging adherence to the state’s public meetings law were within his rights to express. In a termination letter addressed to Salvatore, Tate asserted, “My decision is not directed to your exercise of free speech. Instead, it is based on your own disruptive behavior on the LSUS campus.”

According to Provost Helen Taylor, Salvatore’s speeches were detrimental to the efficiency of university operations, highlighting that the disruption undermined the process of shared governance vital to academic institutions. “When shared governance breaks down, the administration doesn’t have the means to run the university,” Taylor stated during the April hearing.

The Nature of Shared Governance

Under the shared governance model, certain academic powers are delegated to faculty members to ensure a balanced decision-making process. However, it appears that the majority of accusations raised against Salvatore were outside his role as a Faculty Senator and encompassed remarks considered controversial by the administration.

Advocacy and Controversy

Salvatore is widely recognized for his environmental advocacy, particularly regarding open-air burn pits at the Clean Harbors waste disposal facility in Colfax. He believes that his termination is a direct consequence of his activism and has initiated a federal lawsuit claiming violation of his free speech rights.

Several of Salvatore’s supporters argue that despite the administration’s claims of disruption, the charges do not warrant termination. Communication Professor Kevin Cope emphasized that even if some charges hold merit, they do not justify such severe action against a tenured professor, suggesting the need for a thorough examination by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Concerns About Academic Freedom

This incident raises broader concerns about academic freedom and the governance structure within universities. Advocates for shared governance argue that recent trends are undermining faculty power in favor of administrative authority. Cope further noted that the LSU System currently faces two censure actions from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a consequence of alleged violations to principles of academic freedom.

In the wake of these developments, many question the ramifications of firing a tenured professor and whether it may lead to a third censure for the university. A third censure would set a concerning precedent, as no other university system has faced such a penalty thrice.

Conclusion

The termination of Brian Salvatore represents not just a personal loss for the professor but also indicative of larger issues regarding governance and freedom in academic settings. The outcome of his lawsuit may have significant implications for faculty rights and shared governance in higher education institutions across the nation.