Thomas E. Klocek

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Thomas E. Klocek is a former adjunct professor at DePaul University fired for arguing with Muslim and Palestinian students outside the classroom.

His case has drawn the attention of ardent supporters of free speech, who believe Professor Klocek is a victim of "political correctness."

1 Overview
2 Klocek's career at DePaul
3 Brief Outline of the Incident
4 Aftermath
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Overview

Klocek was a part-time instructor at DePaul University for the School of New Learning, hired on a quarter-by-quarter basis, generally to teach a single course. He had taught at DePaul for 15 years and was a well-regarded instructor. His contract was not renewed following an incident involving student activists who were members of Students for Justice in Palestine, and "United Muslims Moving Ahead" (both of which are pro-Palestinian). Klocek disagreed with the content of the groups' leaflets and confronted the activists at a student activity fair. The debate became more heated, with the students (allegedly) comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, and Klocek (allegedly) saying that the Palestinians did not exist and were a 20th-century construct. Students from other groups became alarmed by Klocek's behavior and called campus security, who escorted him from the area. He returned and confronted the students again. The accusation, without a hearing, that Klocek made an obscene hand gesture amongst other things, resulted in a defamation lawsuit against DePaul University.

Dean Susanne Dumbleton talked with Klocek in private, explaining that the behavior reported during the incident violated the university's Faculty Code of Conduct. Klocek was given the opportunity to apologize to the students for his behavior and continue in his position. He declined.

On September 24, 2004, Klocek received notice from Dean Dumbleton that he was being suspended with pay and full benefits, due to complaints stemming from the incident. (The incident occurred on September 14.) Klocek, displeased with this, appealed the decision and demanded a hearing. When his efforts proved fruitless, he sued the school on the grounds of breach of contract and defamation. Klocek's claims for breach of contract were dismissed on January 30, 2006, but the defamation claims were allowed to proceed to trial.

[edit] Klocek's career at DePaul

Klocek did not have a PhD, but instructed students as a part-time adjunct professor at the School for New Learning, a part of DePaul that specializes in instructing older students (age 26 and above). The classes that Klocek taught covered a variety of topics ranging from writing to "Critical Thinking." He was held in very high esteem by the school and had an exemplary record for 15 years. Klocek's area of expertise was Slavic languages and Literatures, particularly Russian and Old Slavic, and he was also working on a doctoral thesis through the University of Chicago on "Logos and its Impact on the Development of Medieval Slavic Culture."[1]

[edit] Brief Outline of the Incident

Strangely, many of the facts of what was said are not in great dispute between the two parties. They both agree that Klocek approached the SJP booth and disagreed with them, saying, "You know, there's more than one perspective on the Middle East conflict. You're only presenting one side here."

This sparked a debate between Klocek and the students, and at this point accounts differ. The students allege that Klocek interrupted them and used profanity; Klocek admits to raising his voice but denies using profanity. The students described Klocek as being arrogant and abrasive: Nassar said, "We tried engaging Professor Klocek in conversation but he kept interrupting us and did not allow us to answer any of his questions." Also, "he continuously referred to Palestinians as 'those people' and went on to say that Palestinians 'do not exist.'" (From the Chicago Jewish News.) Nasser also said that Klocek made statements such as, "there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim, you are all fanatics." (From The DePaulia.) The article stated that he continued "making derogatory comments regarding the validity of the Palestinian nation."

Klocek had a different story. According to his version, one of the women at the table informed him that she was a Palestinian. "She got up from the table and said, you know, the Palestinians are being treated by Israelis the same way Hitler treated the Jews. I took umbrage...I told her that was an absolutely scurrilous statement, an absolute lie. I said that I believe the Israeli armed forces have exercised very careful restraint in their responses to what has been almost daily suicide bombings. There is a big difference between (Israelis) targeting a terrorist and someone strapped with bombs going in to a cafe or a seder and blowing up people." (From the Chicago Jewish News.)

The Chicago Jewish News also wrote, "Then, Klocek said, "the UMMA people began to come over. It was eight against one. A very spirited conversation" ensued. As he walked away, Klocek said, "students began coming after me, and I thumbed my chin at them. It's an Italian New Jersey expression meaning, 'I'm finished,' 'I'm out of here.'""

[edit] Aftermath

Angered over the incident the student-activists circulated an e-mail calling for Klocek to be punished. Dean Susanne Dumbleton met with the students and discussed the incident. At the same time The DePaulia published an article about the incident, which did not incorporate Klocek's version because he would not speak to the newspaper. Klocek also claimed that Dumbleton asked him not to contact The DePaulia, though DePaul denies that this suggestion was made.

The University and Klocek attempted to reconcile their differences, but were unsuccessful. Frustrated by what he felt were unreasonable demands, Klocek sued the school for defamation of character and for breach of contract. His lawsuit is based on claims that the school violated his contract by not giving him a fair hearing and by slandering him in the media: the Northwest Herald wrote: "Klocek also contends that DePaul officials breached their contract with him by not giving him a proper hearing, denied him academic freedom and improperly disclosed private information by referring publicly to medical issues they said affected his classroom performance." [2]

The University has not publicly commented on the lawsuit to the media.

Klocek's claims for breach of contract were dismissed with prejudice (meaning that the court found them meritless and they cannot be refiled) on January 30, 2006. The court did not rule on his other claims but instead transferred them to a different division of the court.