In a shocking turn of events, Chancellor Joe Gow of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has been terminated from his position amid allegations of engaging in explicit sexual acts with his wife, a controversy that has stirred significant outrage within the university community.
Immediate Termination Over Conduct
Chancellor Gow, who had already planned to retire at the end of the school year, faced a unanimous decision from the Board of Regents during a three-hour closed-door meeting on Wednesday. The Board opted to terminate Gow’s chancellorship immediately, placing him on administrative leave. The termination follows the discovery of explicit content involving Gow and his wife on popular porn websites, a revelation that, according to UW System President Jay Rothman, caused “significant reputational harm” to the university.
Policy Ambiguity and Investigation
The circumstances surrounding Gow’s termination remain shrouded in ambiguity regarding any violation of specific UW system policies. Current policies grant the system president and the Regents the authority to dismiss a chancellor at any time if such action is deemed in the best interests of the institution. Rothman, in a statement after the meeting, emphasized the abhorrent nature of Gow’s actions, prompting an immediate termination.
An external law firm is set to investigate Gow’s conduct, and Rothman plans to file a complaint with Interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan to review Gow’s status as a tenured faculty member.
Reckless Disregard for Responsibilities
Board of Regents President Karen Walsh condemned Gow’s actions, stating that he had demonstrated “reckless disregard” for his responsibilities as the leader of UW-La Crosse. The unanimous vote to terminate Gow reflects the deep-seated outrage within the Board over his behavior, which they deemed inconsistent with his role as chancellor.
Chancellor Gow’s Response and Due Process Concerns
In response, Gow expressed concerns about the lack of due process, as he was not invited to the closed-session meeting. He also highlighted what he perceived as hypocrisy within the UW system, criticizing their support for free speech while terminating him. Gow emphasized the importance of First Amendment rights, stating, “I’m very concerned that here’s an issue of free speech, and we’re seeing the Board of Regents not supporting the concept.”
History of Controversy
This is not the first time Chancellor Gow has found himself at the center of controversy. In 2018, he was denied a pay raise for inviting former porn actress and activist Nina Hartley to speak on campus as part of an inaugural free speech week event. The then-UW system President Ray Cross cited “poor judgment” in Gow’s decision.
Author Profile Unveils Personal Ventures
An Amazon author profile, supposedly belonging to Gow and his wife Carmen Wilson under pseudonyms, reveals their involvement in explicit content creation. Describing themselves as a “sex-positive” married couple, the profile discloses their collaboration with the porn industry to produce “upscale” videos. The couple is said to have accounts on popular porn websites, including PornHub and OnlyFans, where they engage in explicit acts.
Legacy and Succession Plans
Chancellor Gow, who assumed the role in February 2007, has been the second-longest-serving chancellor in UW-La Crosse’s history. The Regents have swiftly initiated a search for his successor, marking the end of an era for the university.
As the UW-La Crosse community grapples with the fallout from this unprecedented scandal, the university now faces the challenge of rebuilding its reputation and charting a course forward under new leadership.
Feature Image Credit: www.uwlax.edu
