Straws in the Wind - Part 227

From Inside Higher Ed: Clemson University has agreed to rescind the termination of Joshua Bregy, an assistant professor in the department of environmental engineering and earth sciences, nearly four months after dismissing him for resharing a post on his personal Facebook page that criticized the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Bregy sued after he was terminated on Sept. 26, claiming that his firing violated his First Amendment rights. 

As part of the settlement, Bregy will receive pay and benefits “throughout the original term of his employment,” the ACLU of South Carolina, which represented Bregy, said in a news release. In addition, Clemson provost Robert Jones agreed to “provide positive letters of recommendation to potential employers based on Dr. Bregy’s classroom teaching.” For Bregy’s part, he agreed to drop his lawsuit and resign from his position at Clemson effective May 15, 2026. He will not have any teaching, research or other faculty obligations through the spring semester, according to the release...

Full story at https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2026/01/13/clemson-settles-professor-fired-kirk-comments.

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From the Brown Daily Herald: All [Brown] University owned and occupied buildings equipped with card readers will require Brown ID swipe access as the spring semester begins, Interim Vice President of Public Safety Hugh Clements and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Sarah Latham announced in a Friday email to the Brown community. Beginning Jan. 20, buildings with classrooms will require card swipe access between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., but “building-specific accessibility will vary beyond these hours to accommodate student organization activities, events, meetings and other programming,” the email reads. Buildings offering “shared campus services” will remain accessible to all community members with a Brown ID during standard business hours.

The University has already implemented security enhancements in Barus and Holley, the Engineering Research Center and the Lassonde Innovation and Design Hub, such as placing cameras at all entrances and exits and installing door alarms to signal propped doors. Brown public safety officers will continue to provide security in these spaces as classes begin, according to the email...

Full story at https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2026/01/brown-enforces-id-swipe-access-for-equipped-buildings-enhances-security-as-spring-semester-begins.