SUNY Fredonia professor banned from campus over remarks on sexual consent

Stephen Kershnar, a philosophy professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, has been banned from campus after making remarks on sexual consent that stirred controversy1. Kershnar is now suing for the right to return to the campus, claiming that the university violated his First Amendment rights1. The incident has sparked a debate over academic freedom and free speech.

Kershnar's remarks on sexual consent were made during a class discussion in 2019, where he argued that the concept of affirmative consent was flawed and that it was not necessary for sexual partners to verbally communicate their consent1. The remarks were reported to the university, which launched an investigation and ultimately banned Kershnar from campus1. Kershnar claims that the university's actions are a violation of his First Amendment rights and that he has never been cited, charged, or arrested by any law enforcement agency, aside from traffic infractions1.

The incident has sparked controversy and debate over academic freedom and free speech, with free-speech advocates supporting Kershnar and accusing SUNY of invoking safety as a mere pretense1. The situation has also caused a loss of donations and a decline in enrollment, according to court documents filed by the university1.

Key facts:

• Stephen Kershnar, a philosophy professor at SUNY Fredonia, has been banned from campus after making remarks on sexual consent that stirred controversy1.
• Kershnar is now suing for the right to return to the campus, claiming that the university violated his First Amendment rights1.
• The incident has sparked a debate over academic freedom and free speech.
• Kershnar's remarks on sexual consent were made during a class discussion in 2019, where he argued that the concept of affirmative consent was flawed and that it was not necessary for sexual partners to verbally communicate their consent1.
• The situation has caused a loss of donations and a decline in enrollment, according to court documents filed by the university1.