Dancing with the Censors: In Defense of Sean Spicer

BY JOHN K. WILSON In the vast pantheon of loathsome lackeys serving Donald Trump, Sean Spicer is still a star figure. His obsequious devotion to Trump and indifference to the truth reached legendary status. This week, Spicer begins his $125,000 stint on “Dancing With the Stars” where everyone expects his stumbling  on the dance floor…

AAUP Censures Northeastern Illinois University

At this morning’s 100th meeting of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the AAUP membership voted unanimously to censure Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) for denying tenure to John Boyle without adequate cause and in retaliation for his department’s involvement in criticizing the administration, violating academic freedom and due process. Illinois AAUP Committee A Chair…

The AAUP and the NEIU Case

Today, the AAUP released its report on Northeastern Illinois University dealing with the tenure case of John Boyle. Peter N. Kirstein of the Illinois AAUP comments on the process in this case.  By Peter N. Kirstein, St. Xavier University One of the unresolved structural problems within the AAUP is the relationship between State Conferences’ Committee A…

Today’s Ruling in Capeheart/NEIU Defamation Case

Today in Capeheart v. Terrell (2013 IL App (1st) 122517), an Appellate Court of Illinois overturned a state court’s previous ruling that NEIU (Northeastern Illinois University) officials were protected by Illinois’ anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law against a defamation suit by NEIU professor Loretta Capeheart. The appellate ruling reinstates Capeheart’s lawsuit, and means…

Students Return to WZRD

After more than six months of being locked out of their radio station, WZRD, students at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) have finally been allowed back into their station, and returned to the air today. The WZRD students posted on facebook, “we are back in the driver seat once again.”

The Civility and Decorum Police at NEIU, and the Continuing Shutdown of WZRD

More than four months after Northeastern Illinois University shut down the student-run radio station WZRD and banned the students from broadcasting, the lockout continues. On November 6, acting director of Student Leadership Development Veronica Rodriguez wrote a memo announcing her decision about the fate of WZRD. Rodriguez declared that WZRD could be restored to an…