DePaul Students Starting Fast To Show Support Of Prof. Finkelstein and Larudee

Starting this upcoming Monday, we will be back protesting in the Student Center, but this time we will turning up the pressure on DePaul. As of Monday at noon, a dedicated group of students will begin an open ended fast to show our support for Professors Finkelstein and Larudee. Also, we will be fasting to raise awareness and to educate on the crisis in Israel and Palestine. We feel that carrying on the teachings of these professors when their issue is so timely since DePaul felt compelled that their teachings did not matter is our responsibility.

If you are able, please join us starting Monday at noon in the Student Center in Lincoln Park and continuing on through out the week(s).

If you would like any information, please contact us through by leaving a comment or by email at elorendo@gmail.com

DePaul Students Turn Graduation Into Protest

Students Support 2 Professors Denied Tenure

by Katherine Schrup, NBC5 Next

CHICAGO -- DePaul University's recent decision to deny tenure to two professors prompted some students to take a stand in their defense at Sunday's graduation.

During the ceremony, some students held up signs in favor of the professors, Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. Some students also refused to shake DePaul's president the Rev. Dennis Holtschneider's hand and turned their backs to him while he gave the closing remarks.

Finkelstein, who has taught in the political science department at DePaul since 2001, became a controversial figure for his criticism of Israel and for accusing some Jews of exploiting the Holocaust for monetary gain. He has published many books, including "The Holocaust Industry" and Beyond Chutzpah".

Finkelstein also engaged in a public feud with Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, best known as one of the defense lawyers in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Dershowitz wrote faculty members at DePaul urging them to vote against Finkelstein's tenure.

Finkelstein released a statement to the protesting students, saying: "This University must acknowledge and reverse the terrible mistake it has made. For an institution of higher learning to act so blatantly against academic freedom is a sad commentary on the state of our nation."

Holtschneider released a statement, saying: "Over the past several months, there has been considerable outside interest and public debate concerning this decision. This attention was unwelcome and inappropriate and had no impact on either the process or the outcome of this case."

Holtschneider also said in the statement that he could "find no compelling reasons" to overturn the decision.

Larudee, an international studies professor, was denied tenure even though she passed the first two stages of the process unanimously.

"It makes DePaul look very stupid nationwide," Larudee said. "There are a lot of people who understand that you can't do this. The university has made a very bad mistake in terms of its reputation nationwide, and it really should remedy that."

Kathryn Weber, a junior at DePaul, is one of the leaders of a group of students protesting the decisions.

"We're willing to do whatever it takes, by whatever means necessary, to make sure these two professors get tenure. It is not negotiable," Weber said.

The students also held a three-day sit-in at the president's office last week.

Finkelstein told the New York Times that he plans to move to New York City and that "as a result of this 'blacklisting, I will be barred from ever entering a college classroom again.'"

Larudee said she will return to DePaul next semester, but she will have to leave after a year as a result of not receiving tenure.

June 19th Press Release on Graduation

DePaul Students Protest for Academic Freedom

DePaul students protested peacefully at the graduation ceremony of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LA&S) on Sunday 17 June 2007, which was held at Allstate Arena. The protest included banners on the sides of the auditorium as well as graduates holding signs and handing letters of protest to DePaul University President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider upon receipt of their diploma.

Students have been protesting for academic freedom since Monday 11 June after tenure was denied to Professors Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. After a meeting between 30 student leaders and the DePaul President, the students sat-in the executive offices of Fr. Holtschneider. The students were evicted under the threat of expulsion. The denial of tenure to Professors Finkelstein and Larudee symbolizes a harsh suppression of academic freedom. In several meetings across campus, DePaul faculty has expressed concern over their ability to perform scholarship without the threat of internal repression. Some have already decided to self-censor some scholarly submissions.

Students are planning a series of summer events, including a hunger strike and academic forum where the students will teach research of DePaul professors Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee.

Movie of us getting kicked of the the Presidents Office

DePaul students being threated with expulsion while they are protesting the decesion to deny tenure to Prof. Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. The Dean of Students keeps referencing the Student Handbook- which says the penalty for our actions was suspension and/or expulsion. Faculty and Staff were threated with arrest and the police did show up.

DEPAUL CAN FIRE OUR PROFESSORS BUT THEY CAN NOT SILENCE THEIR IDEAS.

Pictures From Our Occupation And Being Kick Out

Students throwing up the 'peace sign' after 56 hours of occupying the President's office. This picture was taken about fifteen minutes before DePaul backed out of their promise to allow the students to stay "as long as they needed to make their point". I guess DePaul figures that 56 hours is more than enough time to make a point and they legitimized this point by threatening suspension and/or expulsion.

The tapped together sign from the conference room window. You could see this clearly from the street and DePaul administrators worried and forced the students to take down the sign.

The dean of students telling the students to leave.

The Chicago Police officer that DePaul called to kick us out and to intimidate not only the students but also the faculty and alumni. During conversations about leaving the President's office, the concern of police force was on par with the concern of expulsion. DePaul accomplished their goal of scaring the students away. DePaul students move the protest outside after being refused reentry to the building.