Guth will not return to classroom this year


LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Associate Professor David Guth, who was put on indefinite administrative leave Sept. 20 after posting comments on his personal Twitter account that caused disruptions in the university’s learning environment, will not return to classroom duties this year, the university announced today.

In place of teaching, Guth has been assigned additional non-classroom responsibilities in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications for the remainder of the semester, including various service and administrative assignments. Those assignments will be completed away from campus to the greatest extent possible.

The decision, made by Provost Jeffrey Vitter and approved by Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, is based on the recommendation of a seven-member committee of faculty and staff, assembled at the chancellor’s request. The committee was asked to assess the current environment and recommend whether Guth could return from administrative leave without disrupting the student learning environment.

The decision ends Guth’s administrative leave and is effective Friday, Oct. 25.

“The committee conducted a full review, and their input was instrumental in arriving at this decision,” Gray-Little said. “Our decisions throughout this situation have been guided by the facts and the law, respecting the interests of our students and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.”

Guth will begin a previously approved semester-long research sabbatical beginning in January 2014. Teaching assignments for the fall 2014 semester have not yet been made.

Thu, 10/24/2013

 

Media Contacts

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

KU News Service

785-864-8858