Court filings and news reports

University of Pennsylvania Sanctions Law Professor Amy Wax with One-Year Suspension for Discriminatory Remarks

Sep 23, 2024, 09:29 PM

The University of Pennsylvania has decided to sanction Amy Wax, a law professor at the Carey Law School, following a history of controversial and discriminatory remarks. Wax, who has been under investigation for over a year, has made statements deemed racist and invited a white nationalist to speak to her class. The sanctions include a one-year suspension at half-pay, loss of her named chair and summer pay, and a public reprimand. The decision comes after two years of disciplinary proceedings, with the faculty committee finding Wax engaged in 'flagrant unprofessional conduct' and making sweeping derogatory generalizations about race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status. A letter from the provost emphasized the importance of academic freedom while noting the need for professional conduct, and it was noted that Wax's tenure protections were effectively stripped during the process.