Academic Freedom Under Threat? Professor’s Dismissal Sparks Debate

In January 2024, Maura Finkelstein completed her initial classes of the semester at Muhlenberg College, unaware that these would be her final lectures as a faculty member. The campus, marked by distinctive red doors symbolizing hospitality and the institution’s Lutheran heritage, set the scene for what would become a contentious departure.

As she was preparing to leave, Finkelstein received a text from an unknown number claiming to be from the college’s provost, Laura Furge. Having just completed an online phishing awareness course, she initially suspected the message was fraudulent and deleted it without responding. Shortly after, she found an official email from the provost.

After unblocking the number, Finkelstein contacted Furge, who informed her that the Department of Education had launched an investigation into Muhlenberg for potential civil rights violations. Although the college had not yet received the formal complaint, administrators believed Finkelstein was the faculty member implicated.

This assumption was fueled by months of complaints from students, alumni, and others, who initiated a Change.org petition calling for Finkelstein’s dismissal. The petition, supported by over 8,000 signatories, accused her of promoting "dangerous pro-Hamas rhetoric" and exhibiting "blatant classroom bias against Jewish students." The petition cited social media posts, including one from October 12 showing Finkelstein wearing a kaffiyeh, a matching face mask, and a tank top emblazoned with "Anti-Zionist Vibes Only," alongside a caption reading "Free Gaza, free Palestine, stop the ongoing genocide by the Israeli and American war machines." Another post from October 26 stated, "ISRAEL DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITS OCCUPATION."

Details remained sparse during the initial notification. Finkelstein recalled that Furge told her she wanted to inform her directly before news broke publicly. When Finkelstein responded by emphasizing her commitment to enriching the college’s academic environment through diverse perspectives, Furge did not find the remark amusing.