University of Wisconsin fires former porn-making chancellor who wanted to stay on as a professor

 

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58)  — Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow, who was fired late last year after making pornographic videos with his wife, is now also losing his tenure.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously at their meeting at UW Parkside, with 17 votes deciding Gow's fate to be fired from his tenure faculty position.

"Based on how this process has been going, it wasn't at all surprising," said Gow. "There is no independent thought going on in that board. I think they are taking their orders from President Rothman and the UW system attorneys and they have been doing that the whole time."

Last week the board and Gow's representation went head-to-head sharing their views.

The university says Gow can't be trusted in a classroom. They say he exploited his role at the university and his pornographic videos made with his wife, violated several UWL policies.

Gow says he shouldn't be punished for utilizing his first amendment rights to free speech.

"These people are complete hypocrites," said Gow. "They talk about the importance for free speech and expression, then they fire someone who actually exercises it."

The board wasn't available to comment on the decision.

Some students we spoke with within the UW system at UW Parkside say they don't agree with the result.

"He didn't break any laws and whatever he decides to do in his personal time shouldn't affect him," said Jayce Schraeder, a student at UW Parkside.

While the timing is unclear, Gow says he will be taking legal action to defend his first amendment rights.