With the fall semester approaching, supporters are pressing the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to reinstate SAIC professor Savneet Talwar, who was placed on leave last spring after an assignment referenced violence against Palestinian civilians.
According to those organizing the effort, more than 400 students, alumni, faculty, and staff have renewed calls for Talwar’s return to the classroom. Talwar is the chair and a tenured professor in SAIC’s graduate art therapy and counseling program.
Talwar was notified by the administration in April that a student had filed a discrimination complaint regarding a hypothetical case study she assigned, prompting an ongoing school investigation, according to people familiar with the matter.
The latest petition, released July 20 by SAIC performance alumni Mary Zerkel and Michael Thomas and co-signed by artist and alumnus Dread Scott, argues that the professor should not face suspension or investigation for including Palestinians in a class exercise. The petition states, in part, that “Palestinians are real people and violence against Palestinians is a fact.”
Supporters seek reinstatement of SAIC professor Savneet Talwar
Backers of Talwar’s reinstatement say the case raises concerns about academic freedom and the ability of instructors to design coursework that reflects real-world contexts. The petition urges SAIC to conclude its review and allow Talwar to resume her duties as chair and professor in the graduate program.
SAIC has not publicly detailed the timeline for its investigation or any potential next steps. The fall term is set to begin in less than three weeks.