Following the Navy Yard shooting, University of Kansas journalism professor David Guth tweeted he hoped that children of NRA members are targeted in a future attack. He has since been put on administrative leave but is still being paid by the university.
The AP printed Guth’s tweet: “The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.”
Shortly thereafter, the university suspended Guth and then placed him “on indefinite administrative leave” on September 20th. Nevertheless, Guth says the tweet accomplished what he wanted–by starting “a conversation.”
He also says the reason he is leaving the classroom is to “begin a planned sabbatical early.”
However, KU Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Timothy Caboni disputes this: “Professor David Guth is on indefinite administrative leave…not on sabbatical this semester,” he says. Caboni does admit that Guth is still receiving pay.
Kansas state senator and high school teacher Greg Smith (R-Dist. 21) says the university has not gone far enough if it is still paying Guth, and he will neither “recommend [KU] to his students as an institution worthy of attending nor support any budget proposals or recommendations for the university.”
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.