There is a very sad story out of Princeton where Professor Antonio Calvo, 45, has committed suicide after the university refused to renew his contract — a decision that not only meant the loss of his directorship of the Spanish program but his having to leave the United States since the move terminated his visa. He had taught at Princeton for ten years.
Calvo was found with self-inflicted slash wounds to his neck and arm just four days after being informed of the decision.
His friend British professor Marco Aponte said that Calvo was the subject of a campaign by some over “political correctness.” What is odd is that the Spanish Department recommended renewing Calvo’s contract, which is usually determinative, but in this case it was overruled by the university. One of his students, Philip Rothaus, described Calvo as “an absolutely amazing man.”
Aponte started a Facebook group called “Justice for Antonio Calvo,” which garnered a lot of support. In one article, he is quoted as saying “he was probably the most popular teacher in that department and one of the most popular lecturers at Princeton. All the students pretty much loved his classes, and he always got good grade evaluations. He was very devoted and worked morning to evening.” Newspaper reports have stated that a few graduate students complained about demands on their academic schedule and work. The articles state that the graduate students enlisted the support of a lecturer who is married to “an important professor” and Calvo was accused of using “a loud voice in meetings.” He was known to criticize graduate students for not meeting their obligations. One article also notes:
In one episode earlier this academic year, Dr. Calvo told a graduate student that she deserved a slap on the face, and slapped his own hands together. In another, he jokingly referred to a male student’s genitalia in an e-mail, using a common Spanish expression that implores someone to get to work.
That would seem the type of problem easily handled by a call from the Dean. Moreover, the actual department reviewed the case and supported renewal of Calvo. Critics have said that this is a case of a “small vocal minority” undermining the professor despite his overall popularity.
We have not heard the other side to this controversy and the university is declining to respond to the allegations. This has only seemed to increase the rumors about the facts in the case. One friend, Princeton senior Philip Rothaus, gave a time line that indicated a harsh treatment for the long-standing professor:
1. On Friday, April 8, a representative of the administration, essentially a security guard, entered Antonio’s office (without informing either him or anyone else in the department more than a few minutes beforehand), demanded his keys and told him to leave. He was not “on leave,” and certainly not for “personal” reasons,” as per Nassau Hall’s press release. This is a euphemism for their having cancelled his contract against the wishes of the department.
2. He was under a standard 5-year review, as a result of which the Department’s enthusiastic recommendation was to continue his contract. The reappointment committee, if they performed any sort of investigation whatsoever, never interviewed a single member of the department nor Antonio himself.
3. On the morning of Tuesday, April 12 Antonio Calvo committed suicide at home in New York City. He did not merely “pass away” as per Nassau Hall’s official line.
Rothaus added that the university appears to be actively squelching statements from faculty: “Antonio’s dear friends, his colleagues in the Spanish and Portuguese Department, have been forbidden from speaking about this to anyone…There is a clear effort to suppress this information–members of the faculty were apparently told they weren’t allowed to talk to Antonio for any reason after he was suspended.” Here is a full version of his letter.
What concerns me is the denial of faculty governance on the question. While all university presidents have the right to reject such recommendations, it is rarely done in deference to the department. It usually takes a very significant problem to trump a departmental recommendation. The problem with this type of university action is that a professor may not have a full opportunity to respond to allegations given to a university president through back channels. The professor is usually not consulted at the university level in such renewal decisions. It is not clear if Calvo was given a chance to present his case against any allegations on the university level in this case.
I am also disturbed by Rothaus’ account of how this man was treated after ten-years of service and the subsequent allegation that the university was silencing faculty in speaking out on the matter. Princeton will have to be more forthcoming in light of the questions raised in the tragedy. There are some serious questions of due process and fairness raised in the case.
It is a very sad end for an obviously talented academic and a very sad moment for Princeton.
Jonathan Turley
In my opinion, this is what happens when “certain” males act like males in today’s politically correct work places. Someone referenced the late professor’s tone of voice. Really! I am a retired academic with a tone of voice of a combat veteran. Not every professor at top universities was born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth. Our voices may unintentionally reflect our hardships in life especially if you are Black like me or Hispanic. Ever heard of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Maybe a Princeton “girlie man” got his feelings hurt by a strong minded intelligent Hispanic man with a visa. If it can happen to the President of the United States (and me) it can happen to anyone. I pray for the late professor and his family. May God have more mercy on him than Princeton ADMINISTRATORS appear to have had.
Having learned about this sad event through a Chronicle headline (have not read full article) today, I am assuming that the “facts” have not yet come out. But given the sick state of academia today and the unwillingness of Princeton to disclose anything, my guess is that the the administration was pulling one of the many assaults on faculty today–it is a horrendous state of affairs. If it turns out that they have, the students in that department should leave for other programs EN MASSE and students everywhere should start to demand accountability in every area of administrative corruption.
Sounds like a certain doctor at Princeton Plainsboro. Condolences to his family. Wish we could take it back.
They are afraid that if they criticize the university, sue the university, or appear as a witness in a lawsuit against the university, they will lose their own jobs or be disbarred or sued or subject to an order to pay some huge amount of attorney fees. The universities claim “immunity” and at-will employment
Rothaus is not a professor – he is a student, class of 2011.
no name 1, April 22, 2011 at 5:21 pm
…. I heard from a friend who is a professor that all the lawyers in the area and faculty are terrified of the university.
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really? why?
Wow! The Ivy League is getting too much like a reality show. It does seem odd that his department backed him and yet he was fired. It does make sense that some university politics got involved. Having been terminated in the past, I realize that they will sometimes have security escort the terminated party out of the building, but don’t they have tenure protection at the university level? And it does seem strange that just the security officer was there to escort him out. Wouldn’t proper HR practice be that two people are present to witness what the other is saying and doing and what the teacher is saying and doing??
Very sad day at Princeton and my heart goes out to his family. He is in a better place.
This is a very tragic incident. As an outsider, what I have been told about university politics over the years suggests a truly byzantine system. I also agree with mespo that the faculty gag order is likely related to liability concerns.
Maybe he could have sued the university for wrongful termination. However, I heard from a friend who is a professor that all the lawyers in the area and faculty are terrified of the university.
The decision to take his own life was tragic.
The role his employer may have played should be fully investigated.
Like it or not, the Ivory Tower at Princeton just evaporated.
It is curious why Princeton’s President would take on the faculty this way. As for the admonition against talking about the incident, I suspect this is more a insulator against liability rather than a challenge to free speech. As JT says, some explaining seems in order from the administration.
Tragedy.
As an academic, this is chilling. My condolences to his family.
Sounds like a stand up professor….. I had a few….actually one had been an ambassador….. one of the richest classes that I had ever experienced…..
Now back to the artilce….what Bush league kid couldn’t cut it….so they had to get rid of the factor…..
he sounds like a “stock character” in academic departments. The obnoxious, petty tyrant who also can be a mesmerizing lecturer. He is beloved and even revered by many, including some who seem immune to this kind of character. But he he is reviled by others who often have little power to strike back. There was a guy like this on my postdoc. Fortunately, I need nothing form him and had no trouble sparring with him and exposing his Buick-sized areas of neglect. Calvo sounds like someone who was in need of intervention and due process, even if he could be an ass, rather than dismissal. Princeton probably has a dozen others like him, who will continue untouched. His dismissal and death should raise questions as to why him and why not the other petty tyrants.
I remember when valued instructors were treated with reverence and respect, not given the bum’s rush like someone caught stealing from petty cash.
For shame, Princeton.
You apparently handled this with all the finesse of Wal-Mart and all the good judgment of BP.
Condolences to Professor Calvo’s family and friends.
I feel terrible for the Professor. I hope his family finds peace. Such a sad story.
This is the first care I have ever read where a person committed suicide when they lost their job and was going to be deported. I wonder if this kind of thing has ever happened before? I wonder if only well educated, well-paid, people do this sort of thing?
Heartbreaking…