Investigated for saying 'word salad'!?

How far can a university stretch the definition of harassment? Far enough to investigate a professor over the phrase "word salad," apparently. Just ask Richard Himelfarb, a political science professor at Hofstra University. 

During a Nov. 3, 2025, faculty meeting, Himelfarb thought his colleague, Jewish Studies Chair Santiago Slabodsky, has proposed a Jewish Studies course that contained too little Jewish content. So, during the meeting, Himelfarb described the proposal as rambling "word salad."

In response, Slabodsky filed a harassment complaint, alleging the phrase "word salad" is discriminatory against his accent and Latino identity. But instead of opening a dialogue, the university opened a harassment investigation.

Let's be clear: This kind of criticism is not harassment. Professors should ask tough questions, test theories, and weigh in on each other's proposals. And just because the colleague was offended by the term "word salad," that doesn't make it harassment under the law — or even Hofstra's own policies.

TAKE ACTION: TELL HOFSTRA TO END THE INVESTIGATION

Then Hofstra made things worse.

After Himelfarb sought outside help from FIRE and we publicized the injustice, Slabodsky filed another complaint. This time, he accused Himelfarb of retaliation for contacting an "external organization." Hofstra still refused to close the investigation.

We know that sunlight is the best disinfectant. Colleges can't justify in public many of the actions they take in private. That's why FIRE is dedicated to bringing attention to colleges' misdeeds in the first place.

This can't stand. So now we need your help. Tell Hofstra to drop the charges against professor Himelfarb.