Skip to main content

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Subscribe to FIRE Updates
  Stay up to date with FIRE's biggest cases and battles for free expression.
  Subscribe
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index tracks free speech sentiments in America. It is a quarterly survey component of America's Political Pulse from the Polarization Research Lab.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
Submit a Case
Newsletter

Ward Churchill Fired

by

Sean Clark

July 25, 2007

Last night, the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted 8-1 to fire controversial professor Ward Churchill for academic misconduct. This story has received widespread coverage including articles in The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required), Inside Higher Ed, the Denver Post, and The New York Times. According to at least one news report, Ward Churchill’s lawyer has promised to respond to the firing by filing a lawsuit in Denver District Court as early as this morning challenging the decision on constitutional grounds.

Make sure to check back later today for analysis of the Churchill firing from FIRE’s President Greg Lukianoff.

Recent Articles

Get the latest free speech news and analysis from FIRE.

Ada Palmer on the history of censorship from the Renaissance to AI

July 15, 2026

Podcast

Censorship is often associated with authoritarian governments...

Protesters give 3-finger salute as they march during an anti-government mass protest in Bangkok Thailand. (Image via Shutterstock.com)

When AI mirrors foreign censorship: FIRE statement on Oversight Board AI speech report

July 16, 2026

New research from the Oversight Board reveals a troubling trend: Leading AI models will manipulate and censor their outputs to avoid criticizing or mocking dictators and repressive regimes.

Charlie Kirk tossing hats before his last speech to Utah Valley University. (Image via Shutterstock.com)

After punishing people for Charlie Kirk comments, colleges are paying steep settlements

July 15, 2026

Public institutions are paying dearly for punishing Charlie Kirk speech. The First Amendment protects unpopular views — and lawsuits prove it.

Michigan State’s ethics policy gags dissent — and the public will feel the effects

July 14, 2026

Michigan State’s trustee gag rule silences dissent, starving student journalists — and the public — of the transparency they need to hold leaders accountable.

Table of Contents

Ward Churchill Fired

Recent Articles

Ada Palmer on the history of censorship from the Renaissance to AI

Podcast

When AI mirrors foreign censorship: FIRE statement on Oversight Board AI speech report

After punishing people for Charlie Kirk comments, colleges are paying steep settlements

Michigan State’s ethics policy gags dissent — and the public will feel the effects

Related Articles

VICTORY: Federal appeals court decisively rejects Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’

Press Release

Judge orders Texas State to rehire professor fired over viral Gaza panel

Analysis

Law professor sues University of Kentucky after suspension over criticizing Israel

Analysis

University of Kentucky suspended a professor for criticizing Israel. Now, FIRE’s Faculty Legal Defense Fund is stepping up to defend him.

Press Release

After Michigan State trustees told students to call professor a racist, his lawsuit is moving ahead

News

University of Hawai‘i dean sues law professor who criticized diversity event

News