Lehigh University’s mission of teaching, learning, research and scholarship for the common good depends on an atmosphere in which Faculty enjoy the fullest protection for freedom of inquiry, thought, expression, research, publication, and peaceable assembly. Academic Freedom is essential to the unfettered search for knowledge and its free expression. 

—Lehigh R&P §2.1.1

Lehigh is committed to protecting both the academic freedom and the well-being of its faculty. Trolling (maliciously posting offensive or disruptive messages online) and doxxing (unauthorized release of phone numbers, addresses, or other personal information) attacks have increased in recent years. Such attacks can be personally upsetting and professionally disruptive. 

Lehigh takes such attacks seriously. This page provides resources for Department Chairs, Deans, and other administrators of a unit whose faculty member has been trolled or doxxed online as a result of their expression stemming from their research, teaching, service, or other academic work. 

Faculty members who are trolled or doxxed are encouraged to consult the Trolling and Doxxing of Faculty [LINK] page.

Guidance for Department Chairs and Other Administrators

Trolling and doxxing incidents often escalate quickly and are often very intense, even if they are also over quickly. They are personally upsetting and professionally disruptive to the person being attacked. It is important to quickly notify the relevant campus offices, connect the faculty member with available resources, and provide support.

If you believe the faculty member or anyone else might be in physical danger, call Campus Safety at (610) 758-4200. 

Then: The Deputy Provost for Faculty Affairs (DPFA) can serve as a central point of contact to coordinate support for the faculty member. If the DPFA has not already been contacted, consider doing so if the faculty member gives their approval.

  • Gather available information and keep it secure.
  • Notify LUPD, your college Dean, the Provost’s office, UCPA, and LTS, if they have not already been contacted.
  • If you believe the attack may have been based in part on the faculty member’s membership in a particular demographic group, contact LUPD and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator (EOCC) immediately. You can contact the EOCC using this form, or contact LUPD, who will coordinate with the EOCC.

Take the faculty member’s concerns seriously and offer your help. Don’t demand that they defend their speech or actions. Avoid giving the impression that the faculty member is a PR headache for you; instead, make sure they know they are a valued colleague and that you have their back. 
 
Being trolled or doxxed can lead to some time-consuming and emotionally difficult chores for the person affected, such as gathering screenshots and other evidence of the attack, and scrubbing their online presence. Offer to help with these tasks, or to find others who can chip in. 

Offer to connect the faculty member with the Employee Assistance Program.

Offer to send the faculty in your department/college a statement of support for the faculty member who was attacked. If the faculty member wants you to do so—and only if they want you to—prepare and distribute such a statement as quickly as possible, preferably within hours after the attack. UCPA can assist with this. The statement should contain:

  • A commitment to academic freedom
  • A statement recognizing the faculty member’s standing their field
  • A statement supporting the research (where applicable)
Here is a sample message:
 
Lehigh University is committed to academic freedom. [FACULTY MEMBER] is an established scholar in [DISCIPLINARY AREA] and a valued member of the university. As with all members of the Lehigh community, [FACULTY MEMBER] has the academic freedom to pursue [his/her/their] scholarship and pedagogy, even if some disagree with [his/her/their] speech or actions. Having scholar–teachers who explore challenging, important, and sometimes even controversial questions is a critical part of Lehigh’s academic mission.
 
On the other hand, consider carefully before issuing a public statement, even a supportive one, as these can sometimes give oxygen to the attack. It may be better to communicate at the individual level—for example, replying to emails from concerned parents. Consult with UCPA before deciding whether and how to issue a public statement.

 

Your staff may receive emails or phone calls inquiring about the faculty member or the attack, or even perpetuating it. Prepare them for such emails or calls. Provide them with language:
 
I appreciate your interest in this issue. Calls on this topic are being handled by Lehigh’s office of University Communications and Public Affairs (UCPA). Would you like me to transfer you to that office?
 
(UCPA’s phone number is (610) 758-4487.)

The effects of the attack may last beyond the immediate episode. The faculty member may lose trust in the broader community or experience reduced confidence. Check in with the faculty member periodically.
 
It is possible the attack may have repercussions on the faculty member’s review, promotion, and tenure (RPT). For example, the faculty member may experience a decline in productivity, or they may feel less connected to their professional community. External evaluators may be aware of the attack, and it may even affect their assessment of the faculty member. Support the faculty member through these issues in the aftermath of the attack. Consider the possibility of a tenure-clock extension in accordance with R&P §2.2.5.7.

University Resources

  • Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD), (610) 758-4200
  • Provost’s Office, (610) 758-3605
  • Library and Technology Services (LTS), (610) 758-4357
  • University Communications and Public Affairs (UCPA), (610) 758-4487
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP), (866) 799-2728 (HealthAdvocate)
  • Title IX/Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator (EOCC), (610) 758-3535
  • Office of the General Counsel (OGC), (610) 758-3572 
  • Student Counseling & Psychological Services (UCPS), (610) 758-3880

Other Resources