Introduction to the Controversy
A shocking resignation has sent waves through the academic community at Tulane University. Kimberly Terrell, the director of community engagement at Tulane’s Environmental Law Clinic, has stepped down from her position, citing censorship from university leaders. The censorship allegedly stemmed from her research and advocacy work that exposed the health impacts of the Louisiana petrochemical industry and highlighted racial disparities in hiring within the industry.
Background on the Research
Terrell’s research has been pivotal in shedding light on the severe environmental and health issues faced by communities along the Mississippi River, often referred to as "Cancer Alley." Her studies have shown higher cancer rates in Black or impoverished communities in Louisiana, linked toxic air pollution with premature births and lower weight in newborns, and demonstrated significant racial disparities in job opportunities within the petrochemical industry.
University’s Response and Allegations of Censorship
Following the publication of her research, particularly a study in April that highlighted racial disparities in employment within the petrochemical industry, Terrell faced restrictions from the university. The law school’s dean, Marcilynn Burke, instructed clinic staff that all external communications, including media interviews and social media posts, required pre-approval. Terrell was barred from making public statements about her research, effectively placing the clinic under a gag order.
Concerns from Elected Officials and Donors
The university’s actions were reportedly in response to pressure from elected officials and major donors, who viewed the clinic’s work as an impediment to the university’s projects, including the redevelopment of New Orleans’ historic Charity Hospital. Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry was specifically mentioned in Terrell’s resignation letter, with allegations that he threatened to veto state funding for the project unless the university took action regarding the clinic.
Elected Officials Concerned About Environmental Law Clinic’s Work
Many of the clinic’s clients are located in areas heavily impacted by industrial activities, leading to significant environmental and health concerns. The clinic’s advocacy and legal representation have been crucial for these communities, but their work has also drawn criticism and concern from elected officials and industry supporters.
Barred from Media Interviews
The restrictions placed on Terrell and the clinic limited their ability to engage with the media and the public about their research and its findings. This not only impacted the dissemination of critical information about environmental and health issues but also undermined the academic freedom that is foundational to university research.
University Leaders Concerned About Clinic’s Advocacy
University leaders expressed concerns that the clinic’s advocacy had overstepped into lobbying, particularly with regards to the petrochemical industry. The provost and the law school dean questioned the clinic’s methods and the direct relation of their research to client representation, reflecting a deeper tension between the university’s commitment to academic freedom and its relationships with external stakeholders.
Conclusion
The resignation of Kimberly Terrell from Tulane University highlights a disturbing trend of censorship in academic research, particularly when it challenges powerful industries or political interests. The incident underscores the importance of academic freedom and the need for universities to protect their researchers’ ability to conduct and disseminate research without fear of reprisal. As institutions of higher learning, universities must navigate complex relationships with donors, politicians, and industries while maintaining their commitment to knowledge, education, and the public good.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Kimberly Terrell resign from Tulane University?
A: Terrell resigned due to censorship from university leaders over her research and advocacy work on the health impacts of the Louisiana petrochemical industry and racial disparities in hiring. - Q: What kind of research was Terrell conducting?
A: Terrell’s research focused on the environmental and health impacts of the petrochemical industry in Louisiana, including higher cancer rates in Black or impoverished communities and racial disparities in job opportunities within the industry. - Q: Who was allegedly involved in the pressure on Tulane University?
A: Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry was mentioned in Terrell’s resignation letter as having threatened to veto state funding for a university project unless action was taken regarding the clinic. - Q: What implications does this incident have for academic freedom?
A: The incident highlights the challenges universities face in balancing their commitment to academic freedom with external pressures from donors, politicians, and industries, underscoring the need for robust protections of researchers’ rights to conduct and disseminate research without censorship.
By JACK BROOK
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Tulane University researcher resigned Wednesday, citing censorship from university leaders who had warned that her advocacy and research exposing the Louisiana petrochemical industry’s health impacts and racial disparities in hiring had triggered blowback from donors and elected officials.
In her resignation letter, Kimberly Terrell accused the university of sacrificing academic freedom to appease Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. Terrell, the director of community engagement at Tulane’s Environmental Law Clinic claimed the clinic had been “placed under a complete gag order” that barred her from making public statements about her research.
According to emails obtained by The Associated Press, university leaders wrote that the work of the law clinic had become an “impediment” to a Tulane redevelopment project reliant on support from state and private funders. The clinic represents communities fighting the petrochemical industry in court.
Kate Kelly, a Landry spokesperson, denied that the governor threatened to withhold state funding.
“I cannot remain silent as this university sacrifices academic integrity for political appeasement and pet projects,” Terrell wrote. “Our work is too important, and the stakes are too high, to sit back and watch special interests replace scholarship with censorship.”
Terrell said she resigned “to protect the work and interests” of the clinic.
Tulane spokesperson Michael Strecker said in an emailed statement that the university “is fully committed to academic freedom and the strong pedagogical value of law clinics.” He declined to comment on “personnel matters.”
Elected officials concerned about environmental law clinic’s work
Many of the clinic’s clients are located along the heavily industrialized 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge commonly referred to by environmental groups as “Cancer Alley.”
Marcilynn Burke, dean of Tulane’s law school, wrote in a May 4 email to clinic staff that Tulane University President Michael Fitts worried the clinic’s work threatened to tank support for the university’s long-sought efforts to redevelop New Orleans’ historic Charity Hospital as part of a downtown expansion.
“Elected officials and major donors have cited the clinic as an impediment to them lending their support to the university generally and this project specifically,” Burke wrote.
Burke did not respond to an emailed request for comment Wednesday.
In her resignation letter, Terrell wrote that she had been told the governor “threatened to veto” any state funding for the expansion project unless Tulane’s president “did something” about the clinic.
Barred from media interviews
A 2022 study Terrell co-authored found higher cancer rates in Black or impoverished communities in Louisiana. Another study she published last year linked toxic air pollution in Louisiana with premature births and lower weight in newborns.
In April, Terrell published research showing that Black people received significantly less jobs in the petrochemical industry than white people in Louisiana despite having similar levels of training and education.
Media coverage of the April study coincided with a visit by Tulane leaders to Louisiana’s capitol to lobby elected officials in support of university projects. Shortly after, Burke, the law school’s dean, told clinic staff in an email that “all external communications” such as social media posts and media interviews “must be pre-approved by me.”
Emails from May show that Burke denied requests from Terrell to make comments in response to various media requests, correspondence and speaking engagements, saying they were not “essential functions of the job.”
On May 12, Terrell filed a complaint with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, claiming that her academic freedom had been violated. The agency, which accredits Tulane, did not comment.
University leaders concerned about clinic’s advocacy
In a May 21 audio recording obtained by the AP, Provost Robin Forman said that when Tulane leadership met with elected officials in April, they were pressed as to why “‘Tulane has taken a stand on the chemical industry as harming communities’”, and this “left people feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable.”
Burke said in an email that university leaders had misgivings about a press release in which a community activist represented by Terrell’s clinic is quoted as saying that petrochemical companies “prioritize profit over people.” Burke noted that Fitts was concerned about the clinic’s science-based advocacy program, and Terrell’s work in particular which he worried had veered “into lobbying.” Burke said Fitts required an explanation of “how the study about racial disparities relates directly to client representation.”
The clinic cites the study in a legal filing opposing a proposed chemical plant beside a predominantly Black neighborhood, arguing the community would be burdened with a disproportionate amount of pollution and less than a fair share of the jobs.
The clinic’s annual report highlighted its representation of a group of residents in a historic Black community who halted a massive grain terminal that would have been built around 300 feet from their homes.
