Professor At Widener Univ Cleared Of Charges Of Racism

After a 3-day trial in June, a Widener University committee today unanimously cleared law professor Larry Connell of charges that he was a racist and sexist

According to John Irving at National Association of Scholars.org, a professor charged with racism and sexism has been cleared of all charged.  After a three-day trial, a Widener University committee this week unanimously cleared Professor Larry Connell of charges of racial and sexual harassment and discrimination under the rules of the university.

Here is part of the statement released by Connell and his lawyers:

“I am elated,” said Connell, “and I look forward to returning in the fall to the campus from which I was banned by Dean Ammons and to resuming my teaching duties. I would not have won without the testimony of dozens of my students who submitted statements to refute the baseless charges two disgruntled students filed against me. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

“Once again the faculty of the law school spoke clearly about the tactics of Dean Ammons in her attempt to rid the campus of my conservative voice. This is the second time the faculty refused to sign on to her vendetta against me,” added Connell.

The University impaneled a committee consisting of law professors Judy Ritter and Jim May, as well as University associate vice-president of administration George Hassel, to hear the case against Connell. In a unanimous 52  page decision, which the University will have to decide on releasing to the media, the committee exonerated Connell of all charges of racial and sexual harassment and discrimination under the University’s rules.

One of the missions of the NAS is to promote and preserve academic freedom in American higher education. Administrators at Widener University’s School of Law threatened Lawrence Connell, a well-respected and long-time member of the faculty, with dismissal–largely on complaints about teaching methods that were well within the norms of common practice. These charges, brought by two disgruntled students and carried forward by deans at the university, were vague and ill-conceived. Professor Connell attributed the campaign to discharge him to the administrators’ bias against his conservative views.