Ilya Shapiro, who is facing an aggressive smear campaign for a series of tweets about racial preferences in Supreme Court nominations that he acknowledges were poorly worded, has been placed on administrative leave from his new post at Georgetown Law pending an “investigation into whether he violated [the university’s] policies and expectations on professional conduct, non-discrimination, and anti-harassment,” according to an email that Bill Treanor, the dean of the law school, sent to the student body today. The email reads:
Dear Members of the Georgetown Law Community,
Over the past several days, I have heard the pain and outrage of so many at Georgetown Law, and particularly from our Black female students, staff, alumni, and faculty. Ilya Shapiro's tweets are antithetical to the work that we do here every day to build inclusion, belonging, and respect for diversity. I have heard and listened to a wide range of views, and I am grateful to the many members of the community who have reached out to me and other leaders at the school to share their thoughts.
I am writing to inform you that I have placed Ilya Shapiro on administrative leave, pending an investigation into whether he violated our policies and expectations on professional conduct, non-discrimination, and anti-harassment, the results of which will inform our next steps. Pending the outcome of the investigation, he will remain on leave and not be on campus. This investigation will follow the procedures established by Georgetown University.
Racial stereotypes about individual capabilities and qualifications remain a pernicious force in our society and our profession. I am keenly aware that our law school is not exempt. We will continue our work with students, staff, alumni, and faculty to put in place strategies, policies, and practices to strengthen our community and our commitment to justice and equality for all. And I remain committed to working with each of you to create a community where we can all thrive.
Sincerely,
Bill Treanor
Read our editorial making the case against firing Ilya Shapiro here as well as defenses of Shapiro here and here.
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