Purdue librarian's anti-gay economics lands him in hot water

But....but..........but.......don't you think the conflict warranted a post? :(

Let's say he is wrong. I am sorry, but you can't fire him. That is what tenure is all about. He is protected regardless of what he says.

He cites the billions spent on fighting AIDS "without recognizing the morally aberrant sexual behavior ... causing its spread" and the "sad practice" of colleges and other employers offering domestic partner benefits in a way that "prevents them from providing additional coverage to those of us adhering to traditional sexual moral standards"; he goes on to say that gay people are causing economic problems in fields such as real estate and divorce law.

Not going to argue about tenure. He doesn't seem too bright from this reasoning though and I wouldn't want him teaching my kids. Let him stay in his position and encourage him to publish more widely. That would at least alert parents in advance to what type of education is available under his tutelage. Some parents would love it, I am sure. Others, not so much.

But Hugh,  the libertarians are defending his first amendment rights, and he himself has not surrendered..............

There is a difference between free speech and advancing information that is scientically proven to be false or subjective. 

It is plausible for him to voice controversial information in a private university setting as long as it is true.  At least, if I were sending my child there, I would want to know that information can be supported with facts and not perceptions or judgements by an individual.  For example, he could cite the amount of money spent on AIDS research and treament without making judgements on sexual orientation.  If that conversation ensued, it should be derived from a student discussion, not the teachers personal opinions. 

Mr. Chapman risks censure by the administration who rely on private donations and student tuitions.  Alumni associations are quite powerful, and Purdue also relies on foundation and corporate funding.  These are the people to whom Mr. Chapman is accountable to as well as the student body.

Here is information on tenure.

Tenure is, of course, critically important to any teacher. It is most often thought of with respect to public school teachers. However, university professors are often granted tenure as well. With respect to public schools and public universities tenure is statutory. Once granted teachers have a property interest which means that they cannot be disciplined without due process.
What about professors who teach at private universities? They do not have any statutory rights and hence no due process right. Tenure is considered contractual and they only have a right to a hearing as provided for in the contract. Weston v. Cornell University, ___A.D.3d___(3d Dep't. Nov. 26, 2008) illustrates this principle.

Mitchell H. Rubinstein    

Being on the opposite side of an argument in immunology is different than attacks focused on sexual orientation that include "homosexual lifestyle," which is not a "scientific argument."  And to believe that politics does not play out in private universities and has an influence on facaulty is naive, in my opinion.

Contract employees have few protections, except for their right to a hearing, and you can be sure that the hearing would be packed with administrators who weigh the economic risks and benefits for supporting a facaulty member versus losing benefactors who support the institution financially.  If they want to oust a teacher, I doubt a contract would be much of an obstacle.

The man cannot be fired for his comments elsewhere or no one can disagree with anything Sorry, you are backing a version of 1984. Big Brother watches your blogs and if you don't toe the line, you lose your job.

Not OK by a long shot.

My point about the scientific argument was that you said, "advancing information that is scientifically proven to be false or subjective".

That is an Rx for a dictatorship. You do not have that authority and that is a violation of the spirit of Free Speech.

Tolerance means learning to allow people to express themselves non-violently as they see the truth.

I wholeheartedly support tolerance and compassion, but I doubt that private universities feel obliged to accommodate those who could jeopardize funding sources.  Thats all I am saying. I am not trying to make a case to fire this man.  You must have more faith in the altruism of private schools than I do. 

Public univerisites are a different story because they are subject to the will of tax payers and fall under their will and the laws and limitations with that particular state, who are also subject to federal laws based on the receipt of federal funds which is mostly for research grants.