The University of Washington has paid computer science professor Stuart Reges $600,000 following a settlement that concluded his legal battle over a parody land acknowledgment he included in his syllabus. The university had initiated a nearly year-long investigation under an anti-harassment policy after Reges, a teaching professor, altered the institution's land acknowledgment statement in January 2022.
Land acknowledgments are statements that recognize Native American tribes as the original inhabitants of the land on which universities and public institutions are located. In his Computer Programming II class syllabus, Reges wrote, "I acknowledge that by the labor theory of property the Coast Salish people can claim historical ownership of almost none of the land currently occupied by the University of Washington." This statement parodied the university's official land acknowledgment, which officials had encouraged professors to include in their syllabi.
University officials censored the parody statement and created an alternative class for students who wished to avoid Reges's course. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which represented Reges, stated that he was punished for his actions. Reges filed a First Amendment lawsuit in July 2022, challenging the university's response.
The settlement, announced by FIRE, ensures that the university will take no further action against Reges regarding the parody statement. Reges expressed gratitude for the legal victory, stating, "I am deeply grateful to FIRE for this legal victory which will remind public universities that they are obligated to respect the First Amendment rights of their students, faculty, and staff." He further hopes his protest will encourage a reversal of "ideological conformity in academia" and help students learn to engage with differing viewpoints.
Gabe Walters, a FIRE attorney, commented that Reges's "deeper purpose was to encourage his colleagues to see beyond their partisan perspectives and consider that others might disagree with them." Walters added that the case highlights the importance of epistemic humility in testing ideas within academic settings.
The University of Washington issued a statement asserting that the settlement was the most reasonable option due to potential attorney fees and costs following a Ninth Circuit ruling. The university maintained that it "acted appropriately" and that the settlement is "in no way an admission of any wrongdoing." The statement also noted that Reges has retained his faculty position and continued teaching throughout the process, with his status at the university remaining unchanged.
Reges's case concluded following a Ninth Circuit ruling in his favor in December.