On Friday June 8, 2007, President of DePaul University, Fr. Holtschneider, told Norman Finkelstein in a three page letter, that he would not receive tenure. Despite his impressive resume of positive student evaluations, peer reviewed books and positive votes at the department and college level, Holtschneider cited the University tenure board decision in denying tenure. Holtschneider also cited ad hominum attacks from Finkelstein on his colleagues as basis for denying tenure.

This is troubling on many levels. Finkelstein had yearly reviews and never before had Vincentian values or ad hominum attacks been cited as issues of concern. Also of concern is that the DePaul faculty handbook required professors to be alerted in the University tenure board voted against them, Finkelstein was not alerted.

The University has come under sustained pressure from pro-Israel groups who have slandered Finkelstein because of his criticism of Israel policies in occupied Palestine. Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz had been interfering in DePaul’s internal tenure process.
Finkelstein was not the only professor denied tenure. Other professors who were vocally supportive of Finkelstein were denied tenure. Mehrene Larudee, a professor in international studies who received unanimous votes at the faculty and college level, was denied tenure. Alex Papadopoulas was also denied tenure. It is unknown which other progressive faculty members were denied tenure.

Some have speculated that the school is padding itself from criticism by letting many professors go, so that it can claim that it wasn’t on a vendetta against Finkelstein. Others worry of a purge of other faculty who voted for Finkelstein in the faculty and college levels.

Students will be meeting tomorrow to decide a course of action. They are particularly upset as they had rallied for Finkelstein outside of his meeting with the University tenure board and had been collecting petitions in support of Finkelstein’s tenure.

It is likely that the faculty denied tenure will appeal to the faculty council. It is unknown if lawsuits will arise out of this situation. Typically faculty are offered a one year contract after being denied tenure to find another job.

While it would be easy to become depressed at this news, we should remember that the repression on DePaul’s campus is miniscule compared to what the Palestinian people have been subjected to. We should also keep in mind that this is far from settled. Stay tuned to www.depaulasu.net and www.normanfinkelstein.com for updates.