LA CROSSE, Wis. — Lawyers for the Universities of Wisconsin have acknowledged that a Republican politician and a donor have exerted pressure on the institution to remove veteran UW communications professor Joe Gow from his tenured position due to his involvement in creating and appearing in adult content.

Hearing and Recommendations

A final hearing was held on Friday at UW-Madison’s Vilas Hall to consider a faculty tribunal’s recommendation to terminate Gow’s employment. Oral arguments were presented by Gow and by lawyers from the UW system’s legal counsel office.

Following the hearing, the personnel matters committee convened in a closed session. This committee is tasked with formulating a recommendation for the full Board of Regents, which is expected to consider the matter at an upcoming meeting, potentially as early as September 26-27 at UW-Parkside.

External Pressure Detailed by UW Lawyers

In a document circulated prior to the hearing, the Universities of Wisconsin lawyers detailed specific instances of external pressure. They stated that "At least one donor has stated publicly that he would ‘kill’ a planned scholarship gift if Gow were not terminated."

The lawyers also indicated that Republican State Sen. Rob Hutton, who chairs the Legislature’s Committee on Universities and Revenue, "has made clear that he, a member of the legislature that provides some of the University’s funding, is opposed to Gow’s returning to teach."

Senator Hutton issued an official statement in December, urging the state university system to dismiss Gow. In his statement, Hutton proclaimed, "The disgraceful conduct of Dr. Gow has fallen far short of what we expect as taxpaying citizens of the state of Wisconsin and further degrades public confidence in our institutions of higher education." Hutton advocated for the removal of Gow and also for "any UW officials or board members who were aware of this conduct and chose not to address this behavior."

Background of the Case

Gow was previously fired as chancellor on the recommendation of Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. Rothman described Gow’s actions, which included posting adult videos with his wife on their OnlyFans account, as "abhorrent."

In December, Rothman informed Gow that he had initiated a process to challenge Gow’s tenured faculty position in communication studies. This process led to a hearing where Gow was required to defend himself before a faculty tribunal. The tribunal subsequently recommended that Gow be stripped of tenure.

During the tribunal, Gow delivered an opening statement in his defense. He asserted, "Tenure is based on the quality of one’s teaching, research and service. These bogus charges have nothing to do with that and they raise the question: do faculty have the right to engage in free speech in their personal lives, particularly on contemporary social media?"

Support from Free Speech Organization

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a free speech organization that is assisting in funding Gow’s defense, issued a statement earlier this week in support of the professor’s case.

Zach Greenberg, FIRE Faculty Legal Defense Counsel, stated, "As a public university system, the University of Wisconsin system is bound by the First Amendment, which firmly protects a wide array of colorful, controversial, and provocative speech. Public universities cannot violate the First Amendment merely to save face or appease donors."

Greenberg added that professors "must be free to speak their minds when they are off the clock, even when their words offend others. Terminating tenured professors for what they say off hours would diminish academic freedom across the country. You may not like Joe Gow or his videos, but the principles that protect him also protect countless dissidents, freethinkers, artists, and others who speak truth to power. FIRE calls on the UW Board of Regents to reject the recommendation to fire Joe Gow."

Key Facts

  • Universities of Wisconsin lawyers admitted to pressure from a Republican politician and a donor regarding Professor Joe Gow.
  • A donor publicly stated they would "kill" a planned scholarship gift if Gow was not terminated.
  • Republican State Sen. Rob Hutton, Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Universities and Revenue, expressed opposition to Gow’s return to teaching.
  • Hutton issued a statement in December advocating for Gow's removal and for action against any UW officials aware of his conduct who did not address it.
  • A faculty tribunal recommended stripping Gow of tenure after a hearing.
  • The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is supporting Gow's defense, citing First Amendment protections.