The Chicago Tribune has new details on the downfall of DePaul Prof. Norman Finkelstein:
Oral and physical confrontations between Finkelstein and university officials began shortly after his tenure denial, according to a memo written by university Provost Helmut Epp.
The provost’s memo, dated June 26, alleges that Finkelstein “angrily confronted” other faculty and staff and engaged them with “threatening and discourteous behavior” after being denied tenure.
On three such occasions, campus security officers were called to intervene, according to the provost’s memo. When a dean attempted to escape a confrontation by ducking into an elevator, Finkelstein physically tried to keep the door from closing, according to the provost’s account.
Tomorrow could be an interesting day:
On Wednesday morning, Finkelstein, whose case has attracted wide attention both within and beyond the academic world, intends to teach a symbolic reincarnation of one of the scratched classes, “Equality in Social Justice,” at a public library near DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus.
Afterward, he has announced, he will attempt to enter his office, from which he has been barred. He promised to go on a hunger strike if jailed for his effort, a vow Finkelstein renewed in an interview Sunday.
“I am morally, mentally and emotionally depleted right now,” said Finkelstein, 53. “But I will find the resources to fight this next battle.”