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The continued failure of @ChapmanU to appropriately respond to John Eastman’s actions seems to illustrate a larger systemic problem within the university. (THREAD)
For those of you who don’t know, John Eastman is a Chapman Law professor who spoke at the Trump rally that preceded the riots. Many believe the resulting riots to be emblematic of the United States’ problem with white supremacy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/01/07/trump-mob-capitol-red-shirts/
In response to John Eastman’s actions, a large portion of the Chapman faculty petitioned for his removal from the University: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-01-09/chapman-university-faculty-john-eastman
The Political Science faculty and staff have since unanimously condemned Eastman’s actions. https://twitter.com/LoriCoxHan/status/1347357227389095936?s=20
Chapman University President Daniele Struppa released a statement that the University would not be taking disciplinary action against John Eastman.
Struppa cited the school’s Faculty Manual, claiming there was nothing the school could do, since Eastman had not broken any laws. https://news.chapman.edu/2021/01/09/president-struppa-issues-an-additional-statement-regarding-john-eastman/
Chapman administrators often cite their desire to uphold First Amendment rights. While this is an honorable goal, it is perhaps important to remember that private institutions like Chapman are not legally beholden to the First Amendment: https://harvardcrcl.org/first-amendment-on-private-campuses/
While free speech is essential within a University setting, even organizations dedicated to protecting freedom of speech in Universities concede that private universities have the responsibility to ensure the safety of all students and faculty members: https://tinyurl.com/y3ztz9ad
This is not the first time the Chapman administration has responded to faculty and student concerns with inaction. Most notable is the school’s response to student requests to remove a Birth of a Nation poster from one of the school buildings: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chapman-university-film-school-removes-birth-a-nation-posters-student-protests-1203519
Struppa’s response to this was also one of inaction, stating that it was not his responsibility to remove the poster and encouraged students to “not seek the destruction and the censorship of art whose content we find objectionable.” https://tinyurl.com/y5kt5tzq
See also: the disappointing lack of resolution to repeated racist vandalism by the hate group “Patriot Front.” https://www.ocregister.com/2019/09/04/white-supremacist-stickers-greeted-chapman-university-students-on-first-day-of-class/
In Feb 2020, a student showed up to class drunk, called students slurs, and destroyed a classmate's laptop. Struppa's response was that Chapman “still (has) work to do for all members of the Chapman community to feel safe and welcome.” https://tinyurl.com/yxjgncm8
There have been other incidents of racist behavior on Chapman’s campus as well. Several black students at the University have written about why they feel attacked and unsupported at this school: https://www.thepanthernewspaper.org/opinions/why-dont-our-peers-understand-racism?rq=black%20lives%20matter
Students are unsatisfied with the University’s response to instances of racist behavior on campus: https://www.thepanthernewspaper.org/opinions/all-lives-cant-matter-until-black-lives-matter?rq=black%20lives%20matter
There are a number of things Chapman University administrators could do to address the systemic problem of racism within the University. They are within legal rights to take disciplinary action against John Eastman.
The Faculty Manual which Struppa says prevents him from firing Eastman in fact permits disciplinary action for violation of University policies, disruptive behavior, professional misconduct, and incompetence among other things.
On the next page: “this section does not require any specific steps before imposition of
discipline, depending on the reasons for, and the nature and background of, the action.” Consider the nature and background of the action: incitement of an attempted coup on national TV.
discipline, depending on the reasons for, and the nature and background of, the action.” Consider the nature and background of the action: incitement of an attempted coup on national TV.
Even if Struppa believes the Manual prevents him from firing Eastman, Struppa is still well within his rights to publicly call for Eastman’s resignation. This would specifically condemn Eastman’s actions as antithetical to Chapman’s values as an institution.
Chapman has a long way to go if it means to take care of its students. But before the administration improves, it must first reverse course. Hateful incidents like this will continue to be associated with Chapman so long as bigots like Eastman are given cover by red tape.
It may also be beneficial to require students to take classes on world civilizations, black history, and civil rights. By educating students, the school can start to combat the negative trends it suffers from.
These classes exist at Chapman, but are currently deemphasized in comparison to highly promoted conservative speakers like Ben Shapiro, Sarah Sanders, George Bush, and Dinesh D’Souza. “Shapiro was reached out to by an anonymous Chapman donor.” https://www.thepanthernewspaper.org/news/ben-shapiro-speaks-to-audience-of-more-than-200-at-chapman
It’s no mystery why: a large portion of Chapman’s donations come from libertarian and conservative alumni. Libertarian and conservative political leaders have often voiced their support of Chapman and have even involved faculty members in their work: https://news.chapman.edu/2016/10/13/tom-campbell-named-as-supreme-court-pick-by-libertarian-presidential-candidate/
But allowing donors to shape university policy and curricula in this way is appalling for an educational institution. It has led to repeated racist hate incidents on campus. It has fostered a culture where these behaviors are not only tolerated and accepted, but taught.
Allowing bigots like Eastman to educate has consequences. A Chapman law student was outed as an active member of white supremacist group Identity Evropa less than 2 years ago. These attitudes are more present on campus than Chapman wants to acknowledge. https://eugeneantifa.noblogs.org/post/2019/06/28/davidzsutty/
Struppa’s current plan seems to be for Eastman to continue teaching. The man who promoted baseless conspiracy theories on live national television from the coup in the Capitol will continue to educate law students.
Refusal to condemn Eastman’s behavior is not only allowing an atmosphere of flagrant racism to flourish on campus, but is likely also discouraging new, needed voices from being a part of the Chapman community.
The most important thing here, @ChapmanU, is to LISTEN TO YOUR STUDENTS. If they are telling you they feel unsafe, unwelcome, or disrespected, it is your responsibility to take action. Another “I am Chapman” poster campaign isn’t going to cut it.
If you have corrections or additions to this thread, let me know and I'll add them!
Thanks everyone who RT'd! Here are emails if you want to contact Chapman administrators about this issue. Pls DO NOT send anything that could be construed as threatening.
President Struppa: [email protected]
Dean Price: [email protected]
Provost Pfieffer: [email protected]
President Struppa: [email protected]
Dean Price: [email protected]
Provost Pfieffer: [email protected]
CORRECTION: While most private institutions are not legally beholden to the First Amendment, private California universities are subject to the Leonard Law of 1992, which protects the free speech rights of students. This seems to only apply to students, not professors or guests.
There is debate about whether the Leonard Law protects the free speech rights of professors and guest speakers; for more on this, here's a report from Standford: https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/05/20/californias-leonard-law-what-it-means-for-campus-speakers/#:~:text=Written%20by%20Republican%20State%20Senator,California%20Constitution's%20free%20speech%20clause.
However, even if Chapman is bound by the Leonard Law in this case, it would not prevent the administration from publicly denouncing Eastman's sentiments and taking steps to address the more widespread issue of racist attitudes on campus.
