TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved a controversial policy that will allow top university officials to terminate faculty or staff members for what they post on social media.
The approval of the policy comes months after David Guth, a journalism professor at the University of Kansas, posted an anti-NRA tweet in 2013. Guth was placed on administrative leave following the tweet after Kansas legislators condemned the professor’s actions.
The new plan describes improper use of social media as speech that could incite violence, discloses confidential information or “is contrary to the best interests of the employer.” Social media, as described in the policy, includes blogs and social networking sites, Lawrence Journal-World reports.
The chairman of the board, Fred Logan, said the policy strongly supported free speech; however, many faculty and staff disagree.
Some objectors said the new policy will hurt Kansas’ ability to attract top faculty, as the state will have the reputation of being anti-free speech.
