University of Pennsylvania suspends law professor for 'flagrant unprofessional conduct'

The University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law has suspended tenured professor Amy Wax for "flagrant unprofessional conduct" following a recommendation by the faculty hearing board.

The board found Wax responsible for making discriminatory and derogatory public statements targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, and other characteristics. The university’s interim president, J. Larry Jameson, confirmed the suspension, concluding a lengthy process that began with a review of charges brought by former Penn Carey Law dean Theodore Ruger.

The suspension, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year, comes with sanctions, including half pay, the loss of her named chair, and a permanent reduction of summer pay.

The hearing board found that Wax's comments breached her responsibilities as a teacher by creating an unequal educational environment. This negatively affected many students who believed she would not assess their academic performance impartially. The board also cited her public disclosure of student grades by race as a violation of university policy, even after being cautioned.

Wax appealed the decision to the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility (SCAFR). The committee’s responsibility under the rules proscribed by the faculty handbook is limited: its duty is to determine whether there has been “a significant defect in procedure,” in which case SCAFR is required to remand the matter to the Hearing Board for further proceedings. After examining the case, SCAFR found no significant procedural errors, and the interim president confirmed the sanctions.

In addition to her one-year suspension, Wax must disclaim her public statements as her personal views, not those of the university. The university also issued a public letter of reprimand to Wax, emphasizing that while academic freedom is broad, it does not permit unprofessional behaviour that compromises the impartiality and fairness expected in the academic environment.

Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. highlighted the importance of professionalism in interactions with students, faculty, and staff. According to the university, the sanctions against Wax reflect its ongoing commitment to maintaining an equitable educational environment.