Lake Superior State University: Veteran Professor Ordered to Remove Posted Materials from Office Door

Case Materials

"Lake Superior State University Violates Free Expression Rights," FIRE Press Release, April 9, 2008: Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has ordered a professor to remove materials dealing with issues such as Islamic terrorism, gun control, presidential politics, and the war in Iraq from his office door or face charges of "insubordination." After an anonymous person complained that the materials were offensive, LSSU officials told Professor Richard Crandall, a nearly 40-year veteran of teaching, to immediately remove the items and to practice his academic freedom with "responsibility"—while allowing other professors to maintain similar postings about the same issues on their office doors. Crandall has turned to FIRE for help.
"Letter from LSSU Attorneys to FIRE, March 28, 2008," March 28, 2008
"Letter from FIRE to LSSU Attorneys, March 5, 2008," March 5, 2008
"Letter from LSSU Attorneys to FIRE, August 13, 2007," August 13, 2007
"Letter from FIRE to LSSU President Betty J. Youngblood, July 23, 2007," July 23, 2007
"Professor Crandall's Office Door Adornments, May 21, 2007," May 21, 2007
"Posted Materials on LSSU Professors' Office Doors, May 21, 2007," May 21, 2007