Diane Klein, University of La Verne

Summary

On April 3, 2020, tenured law professor Diane Klein received notice that her employer, the University of La Verne, was moving to strip her of tenure. This decision stemmed from a comment made by Klein during a November 26, 2019 faculty senate meeting convened for the purpose of discussing the future of the University’s law school. Due to low bar passage rates, the University was considering closure of the law school, or at least a dramatic change in its operations. According to the University, Klein remarked to another professor that, in order to save the law school, the committee would “have to decide whether we are willing to assassinate” Jendayi Saad, the Assistant Dean and Manager of the school’s Center for Academic and Bar Readiness. Klein followed up: “I, for one, am willing to do it.” Nearly a month after the faculty senate committee meeting, the University of La Verne called Klein to meet with an outside investigator to discuss a report that Klein had made a threat on Saad’s life. After the meeting, Klein was placed on paid administrative leave and prohibited from communicating with faculty, staff, and students. On April 3, Klein was given formal notice that the University intended to strip her of tenure and terminate her employment. An email written by a spokesperson of the University stated that the University does not regard Klein’s remark as “solely a matter of colorful language.” It went on to say that the University “will not tolerate any threats or threatening behavior that creates a hostile learning or working environment.”