Maryland Institute College of Art: Faculty Member Disciplined for Comments About Free Expression
Cases
Maryland Institute College of Art
Case Overview
closed
Maryland Institute College of Art faculty member Saul Myers made comments in support of academic freedom and tolerating dissent at two faculty meetings and in an email to a colleague. In April 2021, the email recipient, who also attended the meetings, filed a harassment complaint. MICA concluded Myers鈥 speech did not amount to harassment, but issued him a written disciplinary warning based on the college鈥檚 expectation of 鈥渞espectful interactions among members of its community.鈥 On October 7 and November 16, FIREwrote to MICA, explaining that the formal warning is inconsistent with the results of its investigation and that Myers鈥 speech is protected by MICA鈥檚 promises of free expression.