Richard Swartzbaugh, whose class discussion of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks prompted one student to write a letter to The Daily Eastern News questioning the appropriateness of his comments, will not face disciplinary action from the university.

Provost Blair Lord and Anthropology/Sociology Department Chair Gary Foster both said the matter is no longer an issue and that Swartzbaugh, an anthropology professor, will not be disciplined for his comments regarding the attacks.

“From the standpoint of the provost’s office, this matter is essentially closed,” Lord said. “Universities are a marketplace of ideas, and people have a right to express them, even those that we don’t agree with. The matter has been fully explored already, and I really don’t have anything to say from the office.”

Foster said the ordeal was an issue of free speech and that he thinks it is over with.

“I would think so, yeah, at least in terms of any perceived repercussions,” he said. “It’s ultimately a matter of Dr. Swartzbaugh’s rights under the First Amendment.”

Swartzbaugh said that Eastern’s administration is “open to the free flow of ideas,” so he had not expected any repercussions. However, he was prepared to stand up for his fundamental right of expression if necessary.

“I was prepared to carry it as far as necessary,” he said. “I’m tenured and very close to retirement. Right now I’m not very easily intimidated.”

Because of his firm belief in free speech, Swartzbaugh wanted to make it clear that he would never punish students for their opinions.

“I would never think of penalizing any student for expressing their opinion in or outside of class,” he said.

Swartzbaugh said that he’s no stranger to free speech issues himself.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in the area of expression of ideas, whether through words or in art,” he said.

A few years ago some of his artwork was removed from Charleston’s art space in City Hall because it was controversial.

This also wasn’t the first time one of his class discussions lead to controversy. Swartzbaugh said that in 1971, while he was an anthropology professor at the University of Mississippi, his words attracted the attention of the local newspaper.

“I said some things that I would not say now, and I faced some extreme consequences, but, since coming here, I’ve never been intruded upon,” he said. “I never have been restricted at this university.”

Swartzbaugh also said he doesn’t mind being the center of attention.

“I like controversy,” he said. “I just like the battle rather than the outcome of the battle.”

Swartzbaugh said that, while he didn’t think there would be any repercussions from the university, he was surprised the Charleston community hadn’t responded.

“So far, I have gotten no telephone calls – no nothing,” he said. “It’s kind of a drag, really.”