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Rep. Tusler Criticizes UW Eau Claire
One Wisconsin Republican says the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire campus must do more after a professor was placed on leave for an Election Day attack.
State Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, took to Twitter on Thursday to criticize the UW for a lack of political tolerance.
“Time and time again, UW claims there are no instances of free speech censorship occurring on WI college campuses, yet I continue to see videos like this,” Tusler said in a tweet. “UWEC must respond appropriately!”
He also shared a video that showed the aftermath of the attack.
That video, shot by the head of the College Republicans at the Eau Claire campus, showed professor and department chair of the English department, José Felipe Alvergue, walking away from the table he’s accused of flipping over.
The video did not show the table flip, but UW-EC College Republican president Tatiana Bobrowicz said Alvergue accused her of campaigning too close to a polling place. She says he then violently flipped her Brad Schhimel for Supreme Court table on its side.
UW-Eau Claire said Alvergue is on administrative leave, and said the university is investigating.
“I am deeply concerned that our students’ peaceful effort to share information on campus on election day was disrupted. UW-Eau Claire strongly supports every person’s right to free speech and free expression, and the university remains committed to ensuring that campus is a place where a wide variety of opinions and beliefs can be shared and celebrated. Civil dialogue is a critical part of the university experience, and peaceful engagement is fundamental to learning itself," Interim Provost Michael Carney said in a statement. "We are working with the Universities of Wisconsin and the Office of General Counsel, which is conducting a comprehensive investigation of this matter.”
Tusler said the professor needs to be held accountable.
“Unacceptable behavior by the department chair of the UW-Eau Claire English department,” he added.
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