Three years after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, some people still believe that the shooting that claimed the lives of 26 people was a hoax -- and one of them may lose their jobs for saying so.
Professor James Tracy's blog and the negative attention his statements brought Florida Atlantic University since early 2013 could now cost Tracy his job.
Lisa Metcalf, Chief Press Officer at FAU, released a statement Wednesday that reads, in part, "James Tracy, an associate professor in the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, was served a Notice of Proposed Discipline - Termination - by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs."
In Connecticut, reaction to Tracy's statements nearly three years ago parallels reaction about his potential employment fate now.
“That's something an amateur would look at saying ‘when in doubt, in absence of facts, you blame the media’. There are plenty of facts in this tragedy," said Quinnipiac Associate Professor of Journalism, Rich Hanley.
Hanley believes professors should have a platform to offer opinions. Eventually, he said, some research should back those positions up.
“A professor holds a particular place in society where opinions matter because their opinions are supposed to be based on studied reflection of facts," said Hanley.
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Florida Atlantic University said Professor Tracy will have ten days to respond to the disciplinary proposal before final action concerning his employment will be taken.
