BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Former California university professor John Eastman has been banned from performing outreach or speaking at the University of Colorado Boulder after giving a speech for former President Donald Trump shortly before the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, university officials said.
“The University of Colorado Boulder relieved John Eastman of duties related to outreach and speaking as a representative of the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization,” the University of Colorado Boulder said in a statement Thursday. The statement said Eastman’s actions would “likely be disruptive.”
The university said Eastman alleged widespread election fraud during his speech without providing evidence, The Daily Camera reported. Eastman was seen next to Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani during the rally.
“John Eastman remains rostered as the Visiting Scholar and may continue to perform scholarship,” spokesman Andrew Sorensen said. “He will no longer carry out representational or outreach duties.”
University of Colorado administrators, faculty and staff have since condemned his remarks, and some have called for his dismissal, officials said. Chancellor Phil DiStefano said on Jan. 7 that he would not dismiss Eastman, citing university policy on academic freedom and free speech.
Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said in a statement that Eastman retired on Jan. 14 after reaching an agreement with the university. His retirement came after students and faculty demanded his ousting at the California campus.
The University of Colorado Boulder statement was made public this week, along with a copy of Eastman’s employment contract and salary, after the Daily Camera filed an open records request.
According to Eastman’s offer letter, he agreed to comply with rules, resolutions, regulations and policies adopted by the system and campus, and is required to affirm in writing that he would support the constitutions of the United States and of Colorado.
Eastman began his full-time appointment in August 2020 and is set to end on May 7, the letter said. It also specifies that Eastman is an at-will employee and is subject to termination at any time.
Eastman told the Daily Camera that the University of Colorado Boulder violated his constitutional rights and he would be “exploring all options.”
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