"Concern about the university’s ability to attract faculty was expressed in a letter to incoming president Timothy Killeen about the fallout from the Salaita case, signed by three dozen department heads.
The letter urges Killeen to reaffirm the university’s commitment to academic freedom, free speech and shared governance.
Salaita had been hired to a tenured position in the American Indian Studies program, but his job was revoked by Urbana-Champaign campus chancellor Phyllis Wise after pro-Israel faculty, students and donors complained about his criticisms of Israel’s attack on Gaza.
“While the possible negative effects on even junior searches remain to be seen, the Department of History has already abandoned a previously authorized senior search in US history this year in recognition of the bleak prospects of attracting suitable applicants in the current climate,” the letter states, noting that thousands of academics from around the world have pledged to boycott the university to protest Salaita’s firing."
The letter urges Killeen to reaffirm the university’s commitment to academic freedom, free speech and shared governance.
Salaita had been hired to a tenured position in the American Indian Studies program, but his job was revoked by Urbana-Champaign campus chancellor Phyllis Wise after pro-Israel faculty, students and donors complained about his criticisms of Israel’s attack on Gaza.
“While the possible negative effects on even junior searches remain to be seen, the Department of History has already abandoned a previously authorized senior search in US history this year in recognition of the bleak prospects of attracting suitable applicants in the current climate,” the letter states, noting that thousands of academics from around the world have pledged to boycott the university to protest Salaita’s firing."
