September 6, 2002

An Accused Professor Reflects on Academic Freedom

By DANA SOBYRA

Orange Coast College removed Kenneth W. Hearlson, a political-science professor, from the classroom for nearly the entire fall-2001 semester, after a group of Muslim students complained to administrators that he called them "terrorists and murderers" during a heated class debate on the events of September 11. Mr. Hearlson, who said the events tested everything he thought he knew about academic freedom, denied ever using the language and was eventually cleared by the college.

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