Arbitrator’s Findings & Award, Grievance re: Professor Ann Bartow (Feb. 29, 2024):

The undersigned arbitrator, having been designated in accordance with the Parties’ collective bargaining agreement, and having duly heard the allegations and proofs of the Parties, AWARDS as follows:

The University had just cause to discharge Professor Ann Bartow in April of 2023. The grievance is denied.

Statement in Response to Arbitration Decision Upholding the University of New Hampshire’s Firing of Professor Ann Bartow:

The record is clear. The University of New Hampshire fired Professor Ann Bartow, a long-time tenured professor of law, after years of conflict driven by Professor Bartow’s speech critical of the UNH Law administration. As the University conceded, this speech was unambiguously protected by the First Amendment, New Hampshire law, and bedrock principles of academic freedom. The University’s decision to disregard these protections and fire Professor Bartow represents a grave threat to professors in New Hampshire and elsewhere.

Brian Leiter (Chicago), University of New Hampshire Law School Fires Tenured Professor in Violation of her First Amendment and Academic Freedom Rights:

Professor Mark Lemley calls my attention to a petition to boycott UNH if they do not reverse this decision.  It has been circulated initially among IP professors, but I would encourage every law professor to sign, as I have. 

• Orin Kerr (UC-Berkeley), I hope FIRE and others interested in academic freedom are following what is happening at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law Right Now, With Respect to the Firing of Ann Bartow 
• Orin Kerr (UC-Berkeley), The Arbitrator Ruled in Ann Bartow’s Case