Northwestern’s Medill School denies tenure to Professor Steven Thrasher – and he is fuming

Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism has denied tenure to Professor Steven Thrasher and will not renew his contract beyond August 2026, a decision Thrasher calls a “political hit job” tied to his activism. Medill Dean Charles Whitaker delivered the news on March 12, setting off a firestorm of controversy.

In a news release issued Thursday, Thrasher pointed to his participation in the April 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment on campus as the turning point. There, he stood between police and student protesters, an act he says led to his targeting. “This has nothing to do with my scholarship or teaching,” he wrote. “It’s about my support for Palestine and trying to protect our students from physical attack, by nonviolently subjecting my own body to assault by Northwestern Police.” The University, in a terse response, declined to comment on personnel matters but affirmed “full confidence” in Medill’s faculty and dean’s decision-making process.

Thrasher’s journey to this moment has been turbulent. Just months ago, in July 2024, misdemeanor charges of “obstructing a police officer” from the encampment were dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorney. Medill launched an initial investigation into his conduct in September, canceling his Fall Quarter classes. By January, that probe cleared him of suspension-worthy offenses, only for a second investigation to follow. Now, despite a glowing 2023 mid-tenure review from Medill’s Promotion and Tenure Committee, Whitaker has labeled Thrasher’s teaching “inadequate”—a stark reversal Thrasher disputes.

“This cannot stand,” he declared in Thursday’s release. “I am on the Medill faculty for another year and will not stop speaking out.” With his position secure until next summer, Thrasher is gearing up for a fight. He has 60 days to appeal under Northwestern’s Faculty Handbook and is already rallying support, circulating a Google Form for signatures urging Medill to reverse course. A GoFundMe launched March 18 to cover legal costs has raised roughly $7,700, reflecting a groundswell of backing.

Until recently, Thrasher’s trajectory at Medill seemed promising. His mid-tenure review praised his work, and the University had signaled approval—until his concerning behavior at the encampment, which of course he doesn't bother denying; rather he glorifies it as some sort of bizarre protecting his students from police brutality.

The problem for Thrasher, is that the Trump administration has had more than enough of these people, who cry "bully" when they are in fact the bullies. It's not going to sit by passively, like the Biden administration did. It';s going to act.

So best of luck to Thrasher, because he's going to need it.