The University of Minnesota: Professor Issued Letter of Reprimand for Criticizing University Leadership

On March 1, 2023, University of Minnesota professor Karen Painter received an email from the dean of UMN’s College of Liberal Arts accusing her of sending “an unreasonable number of emails, many lengthy, to colleagues,” some containing “false, mischaracterizing, or intimidating statements.” The dean gave Painter a list of expectations for her communications with colleagues, telling her to speak more “professionally” with colleagues and to send fewer, shorter emails. 

On June 22, the dean issued a formal reprimand to Painter alleging that she had not been following those guidelines. Painter had sent emails discussing, among other things, her concerns about UMN’s treatment of non-white faculty, staff, and students, the availability of a course about black music, and potential cronyism involved in investigating a complaint she had filed against the college. FIRE wrote the university on June 28, 2023, arguing that the reprimand was unconstitutionally vague and that the First Amendment bars UMN from punishing Painter just because some of her colleagues disliked her emails.  Upon receiving FIRE’s first letter, UMN placed the letter of reprimand in abeyance until mid-2026. 

In September of 2023, after Painter criticized a teaching review she received, Painter’s supervisors referenced the letter of reprimand in telling her to “use more caution when sending emails.” FIRE wrote the university again on May 30, 2025, urging it to lift the letter of reprimand and clear Painter’s record. In April of 2026, with the college under a new dean, UMN fully rescinded the reprimand and told Painter she had been following university rules and policies.