At UChicago, a Debate Over Free Speech and Cyber Bullying

A Push for Punishment

Two weeks after Mr. Schmidt’s first tweets in November about the course, John W. Boyer, then dean of the college, sent an email to a handful of staff and faculty, describing the incident as “cyberbullying,” intended to intimidate the instructor by mobilizing anonymous threats and harassment. The university, he added, would not allow it.

But by February, the university had dismissed Dr. Journey’s complaints. Officials declined to discuss the case, citing privacy concerns, but said that the school had “policies addressing harassment, threats or other misconduct, including cases that involve online communications,” which cover all students.

Dr. Journey was furious. “I don’t want disciplinary action against this student just for a sense of justice for me personally,” she told The Times. “By condoning cyberabuse, there’s no deterrent effect.”

In his dismissal, Jeremy W. Inabinet, an associate dean of students, acknowledged that becoming a target of online criticism could be disturbing. His office, he said, would recommend that the college talk with the student.

That discussion did not happen, Mr. Schmidt said.

In March, four days before the course was to begin, he posted again, this time on TikTok, complaining about a December column in The Maroon by Dr. Journey and a local news article in November, in which she was quoted as saying, “We can’t let cyberterrorists win.”

In the video, he said, “People have a right to know who’s teaching these classes” and re-shared her photo and email address. Dr. Journey’s inbox was on fire again.