August 4, 2017
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I wanted to share with you that Dr. Lars Maischak, Fresno State History lecturer, will not be teaching this fall. In accordance with California State University, Fresno’s contractual obligation, Dr. Maischak has been assigned to convert two courses to an online format which meets his unit requirement per the faculty collective bargaining unit agreement. These courses will adhere to California State University’s Quality of Online Learning and Teaching Standards. This contractual assignment concludes December 20, 2017.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., M.P.P.
President
For background information, click here (Note: Dr. Maishcak’s three-year contract runs through May 2018). There will be no further comment.
April 18, 2017
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Fresno State and History lecturer Dr. Lars Maischak have agreed upon a voluntary leave of absence for him for the remainder of the spring semester, effective immediately.
The agreement for the paid leave was reached in accordance with provisions in the collective bargaining agreement with the California Faculty Association, the union that represents all faculty. During his leave of absence, Dr. Maischak will no longer have a teaching role, but will be conducting research off campus.
Substitute faculty have been assigned to his five History 11 classes (American History to 1877) for the remainder of the semester so that students’ academic success is ensured.
The University’s review of this important matter continues. No further information can be shared at this time.
April 17, 2017
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Last week, Fresno State History lecturer Dr. Lars Maischak received local and national media attention because of his comments made on his personal Twitter page about President Trump. To learn more, click here.
Dr. Maischak has since apologized and said he would take full responsibility for his statements. In a note to me and in conversation with Provost Zelezny, Dr. Maischak reiterated that it is not his intent to incite violence or harm others. However, Fresno State has a duty to continue a review of the situation.
The University is taking this matter very seriously and handling it in accordance with applicable law, policy and the requirements of the faculty collective bargaining unit agreement.
Following consultation with Dr. Maischak by phone last Thursday, Provost Zelezny emailed the students in his five History classes to inform them that those classes would be cancelled today and Tuesday (April 17-18) and that further information would be forthcoming about the remaining class sessions for this semester. An additional update will be sent to our campus community this Tuesday.
Quality academic experiences and campus safety are our top priorities. Please know that there have been no threats made against the University and, as classes resume today, we do not expect any disruption beyond the five classes being cancelled. Fresno State police and the campus administration will be continuing to monitor this situation. If you have any safety concerns, please call 559.278.8400 or 9-1-1 to report them.
Media representatives may be on campus Monday seeking comments on this matter. If you are contacted you may decline to be interviewed. If you choose to speak to them and wish to have a representative of University Communications present, please call Director of Strategic Communications Kathleen Schock at 559.360.3777.
Please share any thoughts or concerns with me by email at presidentjic@csufresno.edu or through our confidential Feedback page. All will be reviewed and responded to as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., M.P.P.
President
April 13, 2017
(Statement from the University spokesperson)
Fresno State Provost Lynnette Zelezny notified the students enrolled in lecturer Dr. Lars Maischak’s courses that all of his classes are canceled on Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18. In the email message sent to students earlier this afternoon, the Provost stated that the cancellations were made in an effort to minimize disruption and ensure campus safety. Dr. Maischak currently teaches five sections of History 11 (American History to 1877). Two hundred and thirteen students will miss one day of instruction in the course as a result of the cancellations. Students were also informed that additional information about these courses will be shared with them on Tuesday, April 18. The University has no further comment at this time.
April 12, 2017
I appreciate Dr. Maischak’s apology and willingness to take accountability for the statements made on his Twitter account. In his note to me, Dr. Maischak reiterated that it was not his intent to incite violence or harm others, however, Fresno State has a responsibility to continue a review of the situation. As previously stated, the University takes this matter seriously and is handling it in accordance with applicable law, policy and the requirements of the faculty collective bargaining unit agreement.
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro
April 10, 2017
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I have issued the following statement in regards to social media posts by Lars Maischak, a lecturer at Fresno State:
Fresno State understands the deep concerns that have been shared as a result of personal comments made by Professor Lars Maischak, who is a lecturer in the History Department at Fresno State.
In response to these concerns, we have conducted a preliminary review to ensure that it is clear that the statements made by him were as a private citizen, not as a representative of Fresno State.
Professor Maischak’s personal views and commentary, with its inclusion of violent and threatening language, is obviously inconsistent with the core values of our University.
Our primary concern is for the safety of our students and with providing a conducive learning environment. We acknowledge that our faculty have an obligation to establish and maintain ethical and professional conduct, inside and outside of the classroom.
While Fresno State is committed to state and federal constitutional rights of free speech, the content of statements by Dr. Maischak warrants further review and consideration. The review of these and any other statements will be conducted in the context of rights of free expression, but also for potential direct threats of violence that may violate the law.
The University is taking this matter seriously and handling it in accordance with applicable law and policy, as well as our traditions of academic freedom and the requirements of the faculty collective bargaining unit agreement. The University will fully cooperate with any investigations conducted by Federal officials.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., M.P.P.
President
