CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The recent hiring at Austin Peay State University of a professor accused of being affiliated with a website that promotes Nazism, racism and hate group activity has prompted the university to rethink its hiring practices.
A website that tracks hate group activity last week documented connections between the professor and online sites and posts promoting extreme ideologies. Links to those findings were shared on the PeayMobile app, and APSU officials began investigating the matter.
Tuesday morning, APSU President Dr. Mike Licari sent the following email to the university body on the situation:
“I am writing to address concerns about a faculty member’s alleged involvement with extreme ideological groups. While we cannot comment on specific personnel matters, I want to assure our community that we take these concerns seriously and are actively assessing the situation.
“I want to emphasize that acts of hate, discrimination, and intolerance have no place at Austin Peay. We face a challenging balance between respecting individual freedoms protected by the First Amendment and ensuring our community feels welcome and heard. While we must uphold constitutional rights, including individuals’ rights to free speech and assembly, we remain focused on providing a welcoming and inclusive community on campus.
“In light of these events, we are improving our hiring practices. This includes requiring applicants to disclose past activities that could damage the reputation of the University and utilizing third-party professional services to conduct social media checks on applicants as part of our vetting process.
“We understand these issues can be distressing and make some feel unsafe or unwelcome. We support you, and our counseling services and resources are available.
-
- For support, contact the APSU Health and Counseling Center at www.apsu.edu/health-and-counseling.
- Our Office of Institutional Culture (www.apsu.edu/equity-access) addresses inclusivity and equity concerns on or off campus.
“It is during times like this when we need to focus on our university values and foster an environment where all are welcomed and valued.”
Clarksville Now has reached out for a response from the professor; he has not been named because the allegations have not been officially verified.
NEWS TIPS: Do you have a local news tip? Email news@clarksvillenow.com or call us at 931-648-7720.
APSU was first made aware of the allegations on Sept. 9, after the professor informed his department chair, APSU spokesman Bill Persinger told Clarksville Now.
The professor is a first-year tenure-track faculty member, Persinger said, adding that tenure is a six-year process involving annual, three-year, and fifth-year reviews, determining whether the faculty member will be retained and tenured in year six.
The process at the time of his hiring was a criminal background check, application and letter of reference, none of which resulted in any cause for alarm, Persinger said.
In response to word that several students have dropped out of the professor’s courses in protest, Persinger said students have that option and can reach out to the department chair and dean of the college if they have concerns about a faculty member.
DON’T MISS A STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter