Students are organizing a boycott of religion classes in response to U. Illinois’ decision not to renew Professor Kenneth Howell’s contract for the fall semester.
According to an e-mail exchange obtained by The Daily Illini between one of the boycott’s organizers and President Michael Hogan, students will be dissuaded from taking classes in the Department of Religion until Howell, an adjunct professor in the department, is reinstated.
“I am contacting you let you know that I represent a large number of students that I am organizing to boycott enrollment in the Dept. of Religion courses until Prof. Howell is reinstated and academic free is upheld at this university. For most students, Dept. of Religion courses are elective courses. If Prof. Howell is not reinstated we will be encouraging students to drop religion courses for the Fall and not enroll in them for the Spring,” said Eric Martin, who e-mailed Hogan on Wednesday night.
Howell’s contract was not renewed for the fall after a student complained on behalf of a friend who felt uncomfortable in the class. The case is being reviewed by the Urbana Champaign Faculty Senate, Hogan said Monday.
Martin later told The Daily Illini he estimated 1,500 students are committed to Professor Howell’s cause, but he could not verify exact numbers.
“We are not trying to threaten the University of Department of Religion; we are just trying to defend what professors have taught us as priceless, our freedom to think and speak,” Martin said in an e-mail.
Martin is in Chicago through the end of the week distributing flyers to inform people about the situation
Hogan responded to Martin’s original e-mail, thanking him for his concerns, but saying he is reserving judgement until he has all the facts of the situation.
“Academic freedom is at the core of our teaching and research missions. It’s vital to our ability to explore new ideas, educate our students, and promote the civil and free exchange of alternative viewpoints in a democracy,” Hogan wrote.
Hogan wrote that he learned of the situation late last week and was briefed by interim Chancellor/Provost Bob Easter.
“We do believe it’s important to fully investigate all of the details related to this situation. As I’m sure you’re aware, it is sometimes the case that public reports may convey only part of the story. I think it important to reserve judgment until I have all of the facts and I hope you’ll agree.”
Hogan added that Howell has not been fired from the University, but still holds an appointment as an adjunct professor, but that he could not discuss the details further.
The following flyers are being distributed and hung up around campus and Chicago by students who disagree with the University’s decision.