What Penn State faculty, students had to say about the decision to not fire Oliver Baker
Many Penn State faculty, students and community members felt relieved that assistant professor Oliver Baker was ultimately not fired for his involvement in a scuffle with a student — but at least one group’s response was tempered because of the “enormous price” it emphasized Baker already paid.
Baker, an assistant professor of English and African American studies, was placed on administrative leave following a “physical altercation” last August with a student counter-protester at a pro-vaccine rally. Baker was cleared of all charges by November against a student some organizers characterized as “physically aggressive,” but had still faced termination from Penn State until recently.
Between Friday and Sunday, nearly 10 months after the incident, new university President Neeli Bendapudi shared with the chair of the faculty senate that, while Baker’s actions were “clearly misconduct,” she also did not believe they merited termination. While many lauded Bendapudi’s decision, they also did not agree with her characterization.
“I respectfully disagree with President Bendapudi that Baker was in any way misconducting himself,” said Will Weihe, a graduate student and member of the Committee to Defend Dr. Baker, who also said he was “overjoyed” Baker will remain at Penn State. “On the contrary, Baker acted bravely to protect people from the menacing provocateur.”
The faculty-based group Coalition for a Just University (CJU) tended to agree. In a written statement from the organization, shared by spokesperson Valerie Braman, CJU also pushed back against the notion that Baker engaged in misconduct.
It also emphasized, reinstated or not, that a correct decision did not undo the the last 10 months.
“Once again, we appreciate President Bendapudi’s decision to start off her administration on the right foot by making the correct decision in this case,” the CJU statement read. “But lest anyone take this salutary decision as a sign that justice has now been served, we remind everyone that Oliver Baker has paid an enormous price and has lost a year of his life and his career. He has had to pay over $30,000 in legal expenses, nearly all of which were due to the university’s decision to pursue the AC70 termination process.”
Baker’s case quickly touched a nerve locally when Penn State kept Baker on administrative leave, even after two misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct were dropped in October and a county district judge found him not guilty in November of his lone remaining charge, a summary count of harassment. The decision to continue the termination process rankled much of the community — leading to at at least three on-campus rallies, a national story from the Chronicle of Higher Education and at least nine groups railing against the university.
Supporters of Baker were further frustrated that the Penn State administration often declined to speak on the matter, citing private personnel matters. And supporters were also irked when a university committee — designed to hear such cases to provide the university president with a recommendation — was more than a month late in meeting within the 60 days suggested by Penn State’s own written procedures.
Still, much frustration in the university community gave way to relief and celebration when Bendapudi’s decision was made public Monday. (Bendapudi took over as Penn State’s president May 9; the incident involving Baker occurred Aug. 27, 2021, during the tenure of Eric Barron.)
“We are extremely happy that Dr. Baker will remain in his position at Penn State,” said Aliza Davner, a spokesperson for community group Alleghenies Abolition. “Baker is a tremendous benefit to the community — he acts on behalf of the people, for those that are marginalized and dispossessed.”
Added Michele Stine, chair of the faculty senate: “I’m very pleased with Dr. Bendapudi’s decision. I think it was the right outcome, and I’m very glad to be working with her.”
While most of the public response skewed in Baker’s favor, it was not universal. The Penn State student involved in the initial incident, Avi Rachlin, told the CDT he did not agree with Bendapudi’s ruling.
While the recommendation of the AC70 committee was kept private, Rachlin — who acknowledged he had no direct knowledge of that ruling — believed the committee likely recommended termination, based on Bendapudi’s memo. That meant, he said, Bendapudi likely ignored it.
“If that’s the case then this chick is clearly not a serious person and has blown possibly the biggest decision she’ll make as PSU president,” Rachlin said in a written statement. “I detest the fact her signature will be on my diploma this fall.”
Rachlin, who toted around a sign Aug. 27 with memes and sayings such as “Shut the f--- up liberal,” has been described by some groups as a right-wing provocateur. Some lamented that he appeared to escape punishment but, in statements to the CDT, many groups and individuals simply focused on Baker.
“The NAACP believes the university made a prudent decision to not fire Dr. Baker,” said Jennifer Black, a liaison to the State College chapter of the NAACP. “We want to extend our continued solidarity and best wishes to Dr. Baker who fought, and succeeded, in defending his position as professor of English and African American studies. The students, faculty, associated friends, colleagues, community members and community organizations who came together to counter the charges against him, and raised money on his behalf, demonstrated an example of strength and solidarity.
“Let this be a reflection for all of us, as we move forward in these precarious times.”
In her memo, Bendapudi wrote that she did not believe Baker’s behavior rose to the level of “grave misconduct” required to terminate an employee. However, she acknowledged any consequences would be a confidential personnel matter.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Baker would resume teaching in the summer or fall.
CJU encouraged community members to donate online to Baker’s defense fund to help defray costs.
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 2:14 PM.
