Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow said that the WRP officials waived his rights to due process and freedom of expression when they voted to fire him for appearing in porn videos.
The board unanimously voted to fire Gow on Wednesday for what Rothman called “abhorrent” actions. He had made and distributed adult videos online.
The couple goes by the moniker of “Sexy Happy Couple” online, including the social media account “Sexy Healthy Cooking.”
In an interview Thursday, Gow said the books and videos they made were produced as private citizens under their First Amendment rights, noting they didn’t refer to Gow’s position as chancellor.
“I think the board’s reaction should concern everybody who cares about free speech and free expression,” Gow said.
“I think they should have said, ‘We don’t really like what this is all about, but he and his wife have the right to put out these books and videos, and we have a freedom of expression policy that maintains that.’”
The policy states that members of the university community may not obstruct or interfere with the freedom of others “to express views they reject or even loathe.”
Gow said he’s uncertain whether he’ll challenge or sue over his firing, saying he’s still processing the decision.
He also said he wasn’t informed that he had violated any policies, adding he didn’t receive a hearing.
On Wednesday, UW System President Jay Rothman didn’t allude to the books and videos in a statement about Gow’s termination.
In a statement Thursday, Rothman said “There are and must be limits” on what university leaders say and do.
“We expect our chancellors, as the leaders of these great institutions, to be role models for our students, staff, and faculty, as well for the communities we are privileged to serve,” Rothman said.
“We likewise expect our chancellors to put the interests of the universities they lead ahead of their own personal and outside financial interests. We believe these are attributes of great leaders in whom we can all take pride. … Unfortunately, Dr. Gow failed to live up to those standards. As a result of that abject failure, Dr. Gow is no longer the UWL chancellor, and it is time for us to turn the page.”
