Professor tests the limits

voiced any issues, he never brought his views into class. This was all done as a result of third parties.”

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While these comments were made away from the classroom, the outside image of a professor could still affect the university. Chapter 2 Section 1.1 of the Cabrini Faculty Handbook says of faculty members:

“As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.”

However, this section also says educators “should be free from institutional censorship or discipline.” Tannous claims that he fully complied with the policy, never indicating his affiliation with Cabrini on his personal Twitter account. “I don’t think there were threatening statements [from Tannous] and Cabrini has a broad freedom of speech clause in the handbook,” said Tannous’ attorney, Mark Schwartz. “It’s important to add that it was third parties that got him fired. Students never

Some of his students echoed these claims.

“I don’t ever remember him bringing up politics in class other than talking about economic implications of the FED,” said Garrett Laraia, graduate accounting major. “I enjoyed his class. He had knowledge of economics and lead good discussions.”

However, a number of Tannous’ female students echoed the sentiments of graduate accounting major Ally Wojton who said, “He was one of the most misogynistic people I’ve ever had as a professor.”

Clair added insight into what it is like to live as a professor both in and out of the classroom. “When you are a professor at an institution, you never drop that mantle,” said Clair. “I am constantly aware that in my life, I represent myself but also my work. I publish research, I’ve been interviewed by Vice UK about my research, and in all those moments I am representing the institution as well as myself.”

Tannous claims the university violated his civil rights and ignored principles of academic freedom characteristic of higher education in America. His attorney Mr. Schwartz filed Tannous’ lawsuit on March 22, 2023, claiming discrimination under six counts, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Tannous’ lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Region of Pennsylvania and includes the Jewish Federation, two of its leaders, stopantisemitism.org, and 20 John and Jane Does. It is now a waiting game to see how the case will play out.

In response to the original letters that asked Cabrini to take action on Tannous, the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression, F.I.R.E., sent their own letter on April 14, 2023, to President Drinan calling for Cabrini to reinstate Tannous by April 28, 2023, and requesting a response.

As of the publishing of this article, Cabrini has not responded to this request. Cabrini’s administration and the other defendants all declined to comment due to the ongoing lawsuit.