Salaita, Abbate and Academia

I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the good news. Steven Salaita is suing the University of Illinois. Or rather, his attorneys are suing the university, not because his job offer was withdrawn, but because officials at Illinois are refusing to reply to an FOI request that specifically targets emails sent from outside the university. The evidence trail thus far suggests (but does not prove) an orchestrated letter-writing campaign aimed at Illinois administrators.