University of Oklahoma: Plot to Punish Professor for Political Beliefs, Whistleblowing

Case Materials

• "University of Oklahoma Administration Plots to Punish Professor for Political Beliefs, Whistleblowing," FIRE Press Release, December 8, 2004: The University of Oklahoma has gone to a new low in its efforts to silence Professor David Deming, a frequent critic of administrative policy and a politically outspoken faculty member.   OU removed him from his department and moved his office to the basement—all the while claiming to respect the principles of academic freedom.  FIRE has the records showing that OU administrators schemed to marginalize and isolate Deming for whistleblowing and for his political expression.
• "Letter from Bob Stephenson's Attorney to University of Oklahoma Provost Nancy Mergler, November 4, 2003," November 4, 2003
• "E-mail from William Clopine to University of Oklahoma Development Director John Ritz, July 31, 2003," July 31, 2003
• "E-mail from University of Oklahoma Dean John Snow to William Clopine, July 24, 2003," July 24, 2003
• "Letter from University of Oklahoma Dean John Snow to Professor David Deming, July 3, 2003," July 3, 2003
• "Letter from University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren to Prof. David Deming, June 2003," June 1, 2003

Media Coverage

• "The Chill Is Nothing New," Greg Lukianoff, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 9, 2005: Some would like to imagine that the excesses of "political correctness” are ancient history, but repression in the name of tolerance hasn't gone anywhere. Oppressive speech codes are not only still around—they have actually multiplied, even after numerous court decisions declared them unconstitutional.
• "Professor's case exposes bias," Robert Shibley, The Oklahoman, February 23, 2005: Tenure hasn't been all it's cracked up to be for University of Oklahoma professor David Deming. Sure, he still has a job, but it wasn't enough to keep him out of the basement.
• "Harassed Professor Files Suit Against Univ. of Oklahoma," Jim Brown, Agape Press, December 10, 2004: (AgapePress) - Administrators at the University of Oklahoma are being accused of conspiring to punish an outspoken professor for his political views.
• "The Man Without a Department," Scott Smallwood, The Chronicle of Higher Education, February 27, 2004