University Dismisses Employee for Exercising Constitutional Free Speech Beyond Campus

By Dan Grossenbach |

The recent termination of a University of Arizona instructor has sparked significant debate regarding academic ethics and free speech. Dan Grossenbach, a Christian apologist, alleges his firing was a consequence of his teachings on biblical ethics within a course on public administration. Despite successes in the classroom and positive evaluations, Grossenbach was let go, ostensibly due to budgetary concerns.

For four years, Grossenbach taught “Ethics for the Public Administrator,” emphasizing moral decision-making for students aiming for careers in law enforcement and public service. He was praised for encouraging students to engage deeply with complex moral issues, a departure from traditional ethics curricula that often showcase diverse moral theories without a definitive framework.

The crux of Grossenbach’s argument is that public administrators must uphold constitutional values, which he believes are fundamentally grounded in biblical teachings. While he maintained a clear distinction between theology and ethics in his classes, he acknowledges concerns that university officials might conflate the two. Yet, surprisingly, the official rationale for his dismissal did not cite any theological implications.

When approached about his termination, the department director attributed it to an unexpected budget surplus permitting the hiring of full-time faculty. However, this explanation is contradicted by a recent announcement of a severe funding crisis at the university, raising suspicions about the validity of this rationale. In search of clarity, Grossenbach filed a freedom of information request.

After months of waiting, he discovered that his termination followed complaints from students and community members regarding his remarks at a public school board meeting. These complaints criticized him for voicing opinions perceived as anti-LGBTQIA+, leading to calls for disciplinary action. Notably, the university administration did not attempt to verify these claims with Grossenbach before proceeding with his termination.

This situation raises larger questions about the ethical framework guiding the University of Arizona. As Grossenbach pointed out, there appears to be a departure from standards aligned with constitutional values. The implications of such a shift are profound, particularly regarding the education of future public administrators who will need to navigate complex ethical landscapes.

Concerns linger about the potential ramifications of this incident on academic freedom and the integrity of university education. If universities opt to disregard constitutional ethics in favor of alternative moral standards, what precedent does this set for future interactions between educators and institutional governance? These questions remain unresolved, highlighting significant challenges confronting academic institutions today.

Dan Grossenbach is a seasoned federal criminal investigator and an educator based in Tucson, AZ.