Penn State’s Oliver Baker speaks out following university’s decision to not fire him
Two weeks after Penn State formally decided not to fire assistant professor Oliver Baker, Baker penned an open letter reflecting on the trying process and looking to the future in his most detailed public comments to date.
“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to continue my cherished career at Penn State working with our amazing students, faculty and staff,” he wrote in a letter dated Monday.
Baker’s single-page letter came after the conclusion of a 10-month case that’s stirred debate and sparked a national response, after he was involved in a scuffle with a counter-protesting student at a pro-COVID vaccine rally last August. Despite organizers characterizing the student as “being physically aggressive” and a court clearing Baker of all charges by November, the university administration stunned the greater community by starting a process that could have ultimately ended with Baker’s termination.
Instead, Baker opened his letter by thanking university President Neeli Bendapudi — who took office last month, nearly nine months after the scuffle — after she opted not to fire the assistant professor, chiding him for his behavior but explaining it did not rise to a fireable offense. Baker then thanked his supporters and offered regrets that the situation served as a “distraction,” before looking back at what started it all.
“I have had an extended time to reflect on the experience of interacting with a counter-protester who was perceived by many to be threatening and making people feel uncomfortable during a peaceful demonstration,” Baker wrote. “I am reminded of the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that, ‘We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.’ My concern for the imminent safety of everyone, both rally-goers and counter-protesters, was paramount.
“I am and will forever remain a staunch advocate of free speech, academic freedom and social justice. One of the positive outcomes of this unfortunate situation is that it has initiated an important community dialogue on campus safety at a time when hate violence is tragically on the rise.”
The counter-protesting student finds himself at the center of a separate, but linked, controversy as multiple community members — both in State College and Penn State — have publicly expressed concern over his past social media comments involving white supremacy, rape and a school shooting. State College’s police chief last week acknowledged that his department will “make sure we know this individual’s whereabouts at all times.”
The student in question previously told the CDT that he believed such concerns were overblown and largely the result of “harassment” from Baker’s supporters.
For his part, Baker said in his letter he simply wanted to move past the situation that’s become synonymous with his name these past 10 months.
“I eagerly look forward to moving beyond this situation and returning to my position as an assistant professor of English and African American Studies to advance the university’s values of integrity, respect, equity, responsibility, scholarship and community,” Baker said at the letter’s conclusion.
The open letter, addressed to the chair of the faculty senate, was intended to be directed to the community. In the letter’s first paragraph, Baker also gives permission for it to be shared with faculty senators and the campus community.
