In Chicago, students and faculty at DePaul University are taking action over an academic freedom controversy that is drawing increasing national attention. Last week the university announced it would deny tenure to Norman Finkelstein, one of the most prominent critics of the Israeli government in American academia. The Political Science Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommended tenure for Finkelstein, but the college’s dean and the University Board on Promotion and Tenure recommended against it. In another controversial move, DePaul also said it was denying tenure to Professor Mehrene Larudee, who was set to become chair of her department. Larudee had the unanimous support of her department, the college personnel committee and the dean. Critics say she was targeted because she supported Finkelstein’s case. More than 50 people turned out for a demonstration in support of the two professors on Wednesday. Student supporters have held a 24-hour sit-in at the DePaul president’s office.

DePaul student Evan Lorendo: “We’ve all had these professors, and they’re great people. They’re great members of society. They try so hard for social justice. The way DePaul has totally overlooked them for tenure is absolutely terrible. There’s been outside influence, especially in Professor Finkelstein’s case. Alan Dershowitz from Harvard has been actively lobbying against him. We’re fighting for their tenure and their right to teach and academic freedom.”

Meanwhile, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting DePaul’s faculty association is considering taking votes of no confidence in the school president and other administrators in light of the tenure denials.