Two professors at Indiana University were terminated without due process. Their homes were also raided. Although there was a sealed warrant, it is the understanding of CCS that the termination of the professors did not follow university policies.
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April 19, 2025
Rahul Shrivastav, Provost
Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
Indiana University Bloomington
Bryan Hall 100
107 S. Indiana Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Dear Provost Shrivastav,
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing to you to inquire about Professors Xiaofeng Wang and Nianli Ma. They were both terminated without due process by IU before their homes being raided. It is our understanding that there has been a sealed warrant for this raid. However, without due process and transparent proceedings, it is our understanding that the termination of Professor Wang, who has taught at IU for 20 years, did not follow university policies. Specifically, his union representative stated that he was not given a 10-day notice nor the opportunity for a hearing.
As we are sure you are aware, the carrying out of due process is fundamental to the preservation of academic freedom. If critical policies, such as due process, are not followed transparently, then we must ask that you revoke their terminations until such proceedings are followed through.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists