DePaul University says it has fired a part-time biology professor after she gave an optional assignment to students last month asking them to write about the impact of « genocide in Gaza on human health and biology. » An investigation into the assignment offered by Anne d’Aquino « found it had negatively affected the learning environment by introducing extraneous political material that was outside the scope of the academic subject as outlined in the curriculum, » according to the school. « The class was provided a new instructor, and the faculty member has been released from their appointment as a part-time faculty member, » DePaul University said in a statement to The Associated Press, adding that some students « expressed significant concern » about politics in a science class on how microorganisms cause disease. The Chicago-based school also said an email with the assignment showed support for people « resisting the normalization of ethnic cleansing. » Around the same time, DePaul administrators were grappling with an anti-Israel encampment on campus. US CONSULATE IN SYDNEY VANDALIZED WITH SUSPECTED ANTI-ISRAEL GRAFFITI D’Aquino is appealing the decision, saying during a student demonstration on campus in support of her last Thursday, « My termination was a breach of my academic freedom and another example of this administration’s efforts to twist any discussions of Palestine and Palestinian liberation language into false claims of antisemitism. » D’Aquino was teaching Health 194, Human Pathogens and Defense in early May, according to CBS Chicago. In its online academic catalog, DePaul describes the course as introducing students « to the diverse microorganisms that cause significant disease within the human population. » « The biological basis of infectious disease will be explored with a focus on the mechanisms of viral and bacterial infection and spread, » the course description adds. « The principles behind tools used combat infection will be examined, including antiseptics, antibiotics/antivirals, and vaccination. »ISRAEL WANTS TO KNOW WHY ‘HAMAS TERRORIST’ ALLEGEDLY WORKED AS AL JAZEERA REPORTER DePaul University said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday that « The faculty member has initiated an appeal, as is her right under the Faculty Handbook » and « That process is currently underway and will be completed soon. »D’Aquino did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, but she said last week at the rally, « My case is a reminder that if faculty and staff are not protected from the swift and severe reprimand of this university, students most certainly are not either. » « The assignment was, in fact, related to the course and its objectives, » D’Aquino also said. « For months, scientists and physicians have been warning about the spread of infectious disease in Gaza – due to starvation, malnutrition, overcrowding, destruction of critical water and sanitation infrastructure. » The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/us/depaul-university-fires-biology-professor-over-assignment-about-israel-hamas-war
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Publish date : 2024-06-10 19:59:44
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DePaul University fires biology professor over assignment about Israel-Hamas war
