Smith says non-academics are adjudicating academic-freedom issues
Deborah C. SmithKent State philosophy professor and faculty-union president
Smith says the investigation appeared to hinge on student discomfort and criticizes non-academics adjudicating academic-freedom questions.
“an example of the problem you have where you have professionals who aren't academics adjudicating these issues that really come down to academic freedom”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Did Kent State's investigation of Bob Russell violate academic freedom?
A student complained in October 2025 that Kent State adjunct theatre lecturer Bob Russell mocked Catholics and shared political opinions in class; Russell denies expressing his opinions. After an April hearing, a dean sustained his appeal in July over procedural concerns, and the university scheduled a new hearing. Russell and a faculty-union leader criticize the investigation.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
The report includes interviews, records provided by Russell, and quoted excerpts from the April finding and July memo. It describes an overturned finding, procedural concerns and a renewed hearing. WKSU, an Ideastream station, is licensed to Kent State University.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
She says part of the faculty's duty is to get students to wrestle with uncomfortable things. Smith comments based on public information. Her union does not represent adjunct professor Russell. The interview date is unspecified; November 2 is the publication date of these remarks.
After the quotation
She says Senate Bill 1 is chilling faculty speech and that faculty teaching controversial subjects work knowing someone could file a complaint.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Smith criticizes how Kent State evaluated Russell's classroom discussion.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Kent State University
More from this case
Read the full caseRussell says the process damaged his career
“This entire process has ruined my name, my reputation and my profession.”Read statement
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- Smith says non-academics are adjudicating academic-freedom issues
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The Dispute Index. "Smith says non-academics are adjudicating academic-freedom issues". First published: 2026-11-09. Last updated: 2026-11-09. https://disputeindex.com/events/8174-smith-says-the-investigation-appeared-to-hinge-on