The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has unanimously voted to remove Joe Gow from his tenured faculty position, marking his second termination from the university system. This decision follows Gow's previous removal as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse last year due to his involvement in creating and appearing in adult content.

Background and Initial Termination

Joe Gow, a professor of communications, was initially fired as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in late 2023. This action was taken 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.” Rothman also stated that Gow caused “significant reputational harm” to the university.

Despite being removed from his chancellor post, Gow maintained a tenured faculty role in communication studies. In December, Rothman informed Gow that he was initiating a process to challenge this tenured faculty position. Gow addressed his situation in a piece for the Chronicle of Higher Education, stating, “To retain my tenure, I need to defend myself before a faculty tribunal. I look forward to doing so.”

The Tenure Challenge Process

The process to challenge Gow's tenured faculty position involved a series of hearings and recommendations. A faculty tribunal held a two-day hearing process in June. During the first day, Wade Harrison, senior legal counsel for the Universities of Wisconsin, presented the case for Gow's removal before a faculty senate committee. Harrison stated that the school had cause to remove Gow from his faculty position, citing "unethical behavior and insubordination."

Gow delivered an opening statement in his defense, characterizing the administration’s charges as “irrelevant, inconsequential, misleading, distorted and downright false.” He also noted, “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?”

In July, a faculty panel voted 5 to 0 to recommend Gow's termination after the June hearing. Linda Dickmeyer, chair of the Department of Communication Studies, raised concerns about Gow’s ability to return to teaching, questioning his efficacy and arguing that notoriety “would follow him into that classroom.” Gow’s successor, UW-La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby, concurred with the faculty panel's recommendation.

Board of Regents Decision and Legal Action

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents scheduled a final hearing regarding the faculty tribunal’s recommendation to strip Gow of tenure. This hearing took place on September 20 at Vilas Hall at UW-Madison. Oral arguments were conducted in an open meeting, presented by either Gow or his lawyer, Mark Leitner, and by Wade Harrison and Jennifer Lattis with the UW system’s legal counsel office. The hearing was conducted with the Regent’s personnel matters committee, not the entire board. The committee was tasked with crafting a recommendation in a closed session for the full Board of Regents to consider.

On Friday, September 27, the Board of Regents voted unanimously to oust Gow from his tenured faculty position. The Board of Regents rejected all arguments presented in Gow's defense in a 17-to-0 vote. Gow referred to the regents as the "Board of Hypocrites," asserting that by terminating him due to his pornographic publications and video productions, UW failed in its commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech.

Following this second termination, Gow is taking the university to court. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) stated on Monday, October 1, that Gow is fighting back with FIRE's help, not only for himself but also to protect the free speech rights of faculty. Gow's attorney is Mark Leitner. Gow also sent a letter to the UW Board of Regents outlining legal precedents protecting public employees' rights to speak, write, and film sexually charged expression.

Key Facts

  • Joe Gow was a professor of communications at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
  • He was removed from his post as chancellor in late 2023 due to creating and appearing in adult content with his wife on OnlyFans.
  • Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman called Gow’s actions “abhorrent” and initiated a process to challenge his tenured faculty position.
  • A faculty tribunal recommended Gow be stripped of tenure after a two-day hearing in June.
  • On September 27, the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously (17-0) to remove Gow from his tenured faculty position.
  • Gow is now taking the university to federal district court in Wisconsin, with legal assistance from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and attorney Mark Leitner.