Updated 10:47 a.m.: University spokesman Al Cubbage released a statement saying that, as part of his leave, Protess will not serve as director of the Medill Innocence Project this quarter. Tenured professor and former Washington Post investigative journalist Alec Klein will take over direction of both the investigative journalism class and the Innocence Project for the rest of the quarter, the statement said.
Original story below:
Medill professor David Protess announced late Monday night that he will take a leave of absence spring quarter to work on a new, independent group focusing on wrongful convictions. The move leaves questions unanswered about the future of the Medill Innocence Project — and about Protess’ own future at the university.
Protess said the new group, called the Chicago Innocence Project, will let student volunteers investigate the cases of inmates who may have been wrongfully convicted. “It will involve students from universities from throughout the Chicago area,” he said in a phone interview. “The reporting will continue to be done by students.”
It is still unclear whether Protess will return to Northwestern or the Medill Innocence Project after his leave ends. Protess said he intends for the Chicago Innocence Project to take up the two cases his class investigated in the winter. Over spring break, one of Protess’ attorneys, who also represents the two convicted men, said that the inmates did not feel comfortable working with a class not taught by Protess.
The announcement comes two weeks after Medill Dean John Lavine told Protess that he would no longer be teaching his spring quarter investigative journalism class, prompting demands for an explanation from students and alumni.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a representative from the American Association of University Professors sent a letter to University President Morton Schapiro demanding that Northwestern reinstate Protess unless it offers an explanation for his removal. The letter indicated that removing a professor from a post without cause may violate Northwestern’s faculty code.
Lavine could not be reached for comment this morning.
See Protess’ full statement below:
I have decided to take a leave of absence from Northwestern during Spring quarter to establish a nonprofit organization devoted to investigative reporting of criminal justice issues. The organization will be the first of its kind to investigate and expose wrongful convictions and related problems. Of course, my heart will always be at Northwestern, a university whose students, faculty and alumni are among the finest in the country. For now, the leave sure feels good.
See the university’s full statement below:
Professor David Protess will be on leave from Northwestern University for Spring Quarter 2011. While on leave, Professor Protess will have no faculty responsibilities, including teaching or serving as Director of the Medill Innocence Project. During the Spring Quarter, the important work of both the class on investigative journalism and of the Innocence Project will continue under the direction of Medill investigative journalist and tenured full professor Alec Klein.