Professor Sang Hea Kil, a tenured member of the Department of Justice Studies, was notified on June 30 that her position was terminated effective July 14. Professor Kil had served as a faculty advisor to SJSU’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and acted as a liaison between the students and the university administration.
The reason for her termination was her alleged “disregard for University policies” stemming from her speech and conduct related to the war in Gaza.
As she notes on Instagram “Tenure, academic freedom, free speech, and right to assemble are all under attack at San Jose State University. Looks like SJSU/CSU have teamed up with MAGA/Project 2025 on this attack against me and all faculty who dare to speak out against the sea of silence on the genocide.”
Professor Kil and her supporters will speak out at the Cal State University Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, July 22. Please sign up to support her virtually as she fights for tenure and free speech in SJSU’s attempts to fire her for supporting her students right to protest a genocide. Sign up by Monday, July 21 at noon to make a one-minute comment virtually at this site.
You can also send an email demanding that the CSU board of trustees stop this attack on free speech, academic freedom, right to assemble, and constitutional liberties at SJSU. Email trusteesoffice@calstate.edu
A Change.org petition demanding her reinstatement has received over 2500 signatures. Sign it here!