Purdue University last week failed to fire a staff member, Jamie Newman, who had threatened to rape female family members of pro-lifers online. While Newman was not fired, it was emphasized that it was because of the school’s free speech policy. An apology was requested, which did not come. Newman resigned Monday morning.
The calls for termination surrounded controversy on campus regarding efforts from Purdue Students for Life. The pro-life students sought to commemorate Black History Month by educating the campus about disproportionate ways in which abortion affects the black community.
When the student group clarified and stood by their efforts in a Facebook post, Newman was the first to comment. He issued several posts trolling the students and their efforts.
As Students for Life of America and Campus Reform revealed though, Newman had posted troubling comments on other pro-life sites, and even “offer[ed]” to rape female relatives of pro-lifers on a Live Action News thread.
The Lafayette Journal & Courier reported on the back and forth between Purdue’s lawyer, Steve Schultz, and Newman regarding the situation:
In part Schultz’s e-mail read:
“It’s fortunate for Mr. Newman that he works at a public university both obligated under the First Amendment and committed by principle to protect free speech — even speech as abhorrent as his. Had he uttered such an outrageous and vulgar statement while working for a private college or other private employer, he would almost certainly have been fired on the spot. Mr. Newman’s obnoxious rhetoric is an embarrassment for Purdue, but our special obligations as a public institution impose a much higher threshold before condemnation can be extended to punishment.”
Rather than apologize, Newman continued with what could very well include “obnoxious rhetoric” with his response to Schultz. Newman almost seemed to be justifying his actions through 13 points, many reading similar to his comments made over Facebook. He also claimed violence had been threatened against him and that he only heard about the incident through “digital media.”
Newman also wrote:
While the university is better off for Newman having resigned, it does not appear as if he has learned his lesson.
In reporting on his resignation, the Lafayette Journal & Courier mentioned Newman wrote them a brief e-mail reading “Yeah, I just quit. Tell the world.”
Purdue president Mitch Daniels also echoed Schultz’ sentiment that Newman was only not fired because of the school’s liberal policy on free speech.
