Marquette Today

Campus News and Events

Please note that campus gatherings are currently limited due to COVID-19. See respective capacities for indoor, outdoor, religious and political events. Submit events for approval at marquette.edu/event-services.

For more coronavirus information and regular updates, visit marquette.edu/coronavirus.

Menu

  • Campus News
    • Top News for Students
    • Top News for Faculty & Staff
    • Magazines at Marquette
    • Campus Alerts
  • Archives
  • Submit news
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Contacts
  • @MarquetteToday
  • University Calendar
  • Topics
    • Community Engagement
    • Diversity
    • Innovation
    • Master Planning
    • Marquette Momentum
    • Research
    • Strategic Planning
  • April 19, 2021

Judge rules in favor of Marquette in court case filed by Associate Professor John McAdams

May 4, 2017

On Thursday, May 4, a Milwaukee County judge issued a 33-page decision dismissing all claims against Marquette University. In May 2016, the associate professor filed a lawsuit challenging the decisions of Marquette’s Faculty Hearing Committee and President Michael R. Lovell that Dr. McAdams deserved discipline for his conduct.

President Lovell responded to the ruling in Marquette’s favor:

“Today’s ruling is a strong affirmation of our Guiding Values and our efforts to stand up for our students,” President Lovell said. “We’ve maintained throughout this process that a personal attack on one of our students is simply unacceptable. We appreciate the court’s thoughtful consideration of the Faculty Hearing Committee’s work and findings. Dr. McAdams’ tenured peers on the Faculty Hearing Committee concluded, unanimously, that he breached his core duties as a Marquette professor when he used his blog needlessly and recklessly to harm a Marquette graduate student.  We are grateful that the court upheld Marquette’s actions.”

President Lovell noted that it is especially important to recognize, as the court did, that academic freedom has both rights and responsibilities.

The judge noted the following in his written decision: “Academic freedom allows both faculty members and students to engage in intellectual debate without fear or censorship or retaliation and it establishes a faculty member’s right to remain true to his or her pedagogical philosophy and intellectual commitments. Academic freedom also gives both students and faculty the right to express their views without fear of sanction, unless the manner of expression substantially impairs the rights of others. On the other hand, academic freedom does not mean that a faculty member can harass, threaten, intimidate, ridicule, or impose his or her views on students.”

Consistent with previous communications and in our continued emphasis on transparency, the university is sharing the judge’s public document. Previous background on the case can be found at the following link.

Filed Under: For Faculty/Staff, For Students, Home - Top Stories, News

More news

Grand Research Challenge grants information session is April 22

April 18, 2021

Prayer of the Examen is April 22

April 18, 2021

Newest ‘Our Roots’ podcast episode features Shivani Chokshi

April 18, 2021

AHPRC Student Research Initiative virtual poster event is April 23

April 18, 2021

‘Life After Marquette’ event is April 22

April 18, 2021

New: Digital, paper diplomas available to graduating students

April 18, 2021

Amazon campus delivery reminder

April 18, 2021

#VaxUpMarquette | Vaccines available on campus, April 21

April 16, 2021

Update and input session for Student Success Initiative set for April 29; register today

April 15, 2021

Marquette Army ROTC advances to Sandhurst Military Skills Competition

April 15, 2021

Performance appraisals due to HR by June 1; process overview and other important information

April 15, 2021

A message from Provost Ah Yun: Our progress on becoming a Hispanic-serving Institution

April 15, 2021

Faculty honored for excellence in research at 2021 Distinguished Scholars Program

April 15, 2021

2021 Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award winners announced

April 15, 2021

‘Brewed Ideas Challenge’ is April 23

April 15, 2021

More news

Quick Links

  • Faculty/Staff News
  • Student News
  • Magazines at Marquette

Featured Stories

Notable Alumni: Kareeda Chones-Aguam

Notable Alumni: Kareeda Chones-Aguam

A conversation with alumna Kareeda Chones-Aguam about being a Notable Alumni and how Marquette shaped her life and career.

St. Joan of Arc Memories

St. Joan of Arc Memories

We asked alumni: Do you have a favorite memory of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel? Here are some of the responses. 

Marquette on the move

Marquette on the move

In the first 12 weeks of 2021, Marquette University has announced seven gifts over $1 million fueling scholarships, bolstering emergency bridge funding and preserving one of our most sacred spaces, St. Joan of Arc chapel. The gifts will impact disciplines across campus, including nursing, neuro recovery, business, engineering, communications and dentistry.

Read more featured stories.

Human Resources News

Performance appraisals due to HR by June 1; process overview and other important information

Registration for April and May GROW classes now open

Wellness, mental health and development resources available for faculty and staff

Research

Faculty honored for excellence in research at 2021 Distinguished Scholars Program

February 2021 faculty and staff grants

Virtual Distinguished Scholars Program to recognize faculty for excellence in research, April 13

Awards & Accomplishments

Marquette Army ROTC advances to Sandhurst Military Skills Competition

Theology professor chosen as first participant for AJCU fellowship program

Two biological sciences professors named Ecological Society of America fellows

Marquette UniversityCopyright 2021 by Marquette University
MARQUETTE.EDU // CONTACTS // A TO Z