Law Schools

Salty Law School Dean Surprised Religious Discrimination Not Given The Ok

Employment Law professors have it easy because the hypos write themselves.

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Businesswoman Having a Bad Day at The OfficeProfessor Rob Steinbuch of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Bowen School of Law used guest lecturers to fill in for him on days that he observes as religious holidays for the last twenty years or so. UALR’s Dean, Theresa M. Beiner, decided that 2022 was the year to combo break that streak. I don’t know why this year was the one to make that call, but I doubt that it was due to the quality of the guests — last year an Arkansas federal judge covered Prof. Steinbuch’s absences.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The Dean’s restriction is damn near facially a no no. A three-person committee found that the Dean’s new edict violates the school’s own rules. This came after the Anti Defamation League said that such conduct amounted to clear religious discrimination. Even with the Committee and the ADL’s blessing of Mr. Steinbuch’s use of substitute teachers, there is still a worry that the Dean and administration will go ahead and implement the no substitute policy.

In what world is this good optics for the law school? Are they trying to alienate teachers they’ve had on staff for two decades? Discourage future potential Jewish staff and students from joining their ranks? Maybe the grade thing last week wasn’t enough and they’re strong adherents to the “any publicity is good publicity” rule. I’ll tell you what though, if the Dean keeps this up it’s gonna look like free money to Mr. Steinbuch. If they won’t leave you alone, open their wallets.

OPINION | MIKE MASTERSON: Professor Affirmed [Arkansas Online]

Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s.  He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim, a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.

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