DePaul University announced the dismissal of a part-time biology instructor after she assigned students an optional task related to the war between Israel and Hamas. In May, Ann Dacuino informed students that they could write about the impact of "the genocide in Gaza on human health and biology." The spring term's subject at the Chicago school was how microorganisms cause diseases.
DePaul stated that some students "expressed significant concern" about the use of politics in a science lesson. The university added in a statement: "We investigated the matter, spoke with the faculty member, and found that she negatively affected the learning environment by introducing political materials that were outside the scope of academic content as outlined in the curriculum." It revealed that "a new teacher was assigned to the class, and the faculty member was relieved of her duties as a part-time faculty member."
Dacuino decided to appeal her dismissal. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that about 50 people protested last Thursday in support of her, waving Palestinian flags. Dacuino stated at the protest: "My dismissal was a violation of my academic freedom and another example of this administration's efforts to distort any discussions regarding Palestine and the Palestinian liberation language into false claims of anti-Semitism." She noted that scientists have warned about disease outbreaks in Gaza due to malnutrition and lack of proper water and sanitation.
