Current:Home > ScamsUniversity of Wisconsin fires former porn-making chancellor who wanted stay on as a professor-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
University of Wisconsin fires former porn-making chancellor who wanted stay on as a professor
View Date:2024-12-23 15:47:35
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously Friday to fire a communications professor who was seeking to retain tenure after his dismissal as chancellor of one of the system’s campuses for making pornographic films.
Joe Gow, who had served as chancellor of UW-La Crosse for nearly 17 years, argued last week that he should be allowed to retain a teaching position on campus. But university attorneys argued he was unethical, violated terms of his employment contact, damaged the reputation of the university and interfered with its mission.
The regents met in closed session Friday morning before voting in public to fire Gow. There was no discussion in open session before the board voted.
Gow has said he is considering filing a lawsuit to retain his teaching job. He didn’t immediately return a message Friday morning.
Gow has been on paid leave from his faculty position since the regents fired him as chancellor in 2023, shortly after university leaders became aware of the videos, which were posted on pornographic websites.
The case has garnered national attention both for the salaciousness of a high-profile university official making pornographic movies and publicly talking about it, and the questions it raises about free speech rights.
Gow argued that his videos and two e-books he and his wife, Carmen, have published about their experiences in adult films are protected by the First Amendment. The university’s attorney argued that Gow’s videos themselves are legal, but that they are not protected speech under his employment contract.
Zach Greenberg, an attorney with free speech advocacy group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, called the regents’ decision “a major blow to academic freedom and free speech rights.”
“FIRE has said time and time again: public universities cannot sacrifice the First Amendment to protect their reputations,” Greenberg said. “We’re disappointed UW caved to donors and politicians by throwing a tenured professor under the bus.”
Republican legislators already view the Universities of Wisconsin system as a liberal incubator. Last year, they forced it to scale back its diversity initiatives. System President Jay Rothman has been trying not to alienate conservatives further as he seeks approval for an $855 million increase in the next state budget.
Gow’s hope to return to teaching in the classroom was opposed by his department chair, Linda Dickmeyer. She said that because Gow has not taught for 20 years, he would be assigned general education courses, but she opposes allowing him to return to teaching in any role.
Gow was criticized in 2018 for inviting porn actor Nina Hartley to speak on campus. She was paid $5,000 out of student fees to appear. He developed the idea of bringing her to campus after shooting a pornographic video with her, the university said.
Gow and his wife’s e-books were written under pseudonyms: “Monogamy with Benefits: How Porn Enriches Our Relationship” and “Married with Benefits — Our Real-Life Adult Industry Adventures.” But they also star in a YouTube channel called “Sexy Healthy Cooking,” in which the couple cooks meals with porn actors.
veryGood! (1387)
Related
- Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
- A Catastrophic Flood on California’s Central Coast Has Plunged Already Marginalized Indigenous Farmworkers Into Crisis
- Jamie Foxx Shares New Update From Las Vegas 3 Months After Medical Emergency
- Why Taylor Lautner Says Hanging With Wife Tay and Ex Taylor Swift Was the Perfect Situation
- Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon’s 5th District, will be state’s first Black member of Congress
- How the Hollywood Strikes Will Affect New Seasons of Law & Order and One Chicago Shows
- How Dance Moms Trauma Helped Inspire Kalani Hilliker's Mental Health Journey
- Investigation launched after video shows police K-9 mauling suspect with his hands up
- FanDuel Sports Network regional channels will be available as add-on subscription on Prime Video
- Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar of Sweden Look So Grown Up at Royal Family Event
Ranking
- Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
- US surpasses 400 mass shootings so far in 2023: National gun violence website
- University of Iowa Football Alum Cody Ince Dead at 23
- Shop the Summer Shoes From Schutz That Everyone’s Buying Right Now
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Indulge in Self-Care With a 47% Off Deal on the Best Kopari Beauty Products
- Nordstrom Clear the Rack Sale: Find Deals on Your Next Go-To Shoes from Adidas, Dr. Martens, ECCO & More
- University of Iowa Football Alum Cody Ince Dead at 23
Recommendation
-
Pie, meet donuts: Krispy Kreme releases Thanksgiving pie flavor ahead of holidays
-
How John Krasinski's Elevator Ride Led to Emily Blunt’s Oppenheimer Casting
-
Not Sure How To Clean Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine? These Pods Will Last a Whole Year
-
Body of missing 2-year-old recovered days after flash flood: Police
-
'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
-
Tour de Lust Influencer Christine Tran Ferguson Shares Her 15-Month-Old Son Asher Has Died
-
Barbie Casting Director Reveals the Stars Who Had to Turn Down Ken Roles
-
Retired MLS Goalkeeper Brad Knighton's 11-Year-Old Daughter Olivia Killed in Boating Accident