MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously Friday to fire a communications professor who was seeking to retain tenure after his dismissal as chancellor of one of the system’s campuses for making pornographic films.

Joe Gow, who had served as chancellor of UW-La Crosse for nearly 17 years, argued last week that he should be allowed to retain a teaching position on campus. But university attorneys argued he was unethical, violated terms of his employment contact, damaged the reputation of the university and interfered with its mission.

The regents met in closed session Friday morning before voting in public to fire Gow. There was no discussion in open session before the board voted.

Gow has said he is considering filing a lawsuit to retain his teaching job. He didn’t immediately return a message Friday morning.

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Gow’s Dismissal and Free Speech Concerns

Gow has been on paid leave from his faculty position since the regents fired him as chancellor in 2023, shortly after university leaders became aware of the videos, which were posted on pornographic websites.

The case has garnered national attention both for the salaciousness of a high-profile university official making pornographic movies and publicly talking about it, and the questions it raises about free speech rights.

Gow argued that his videos and two e-books he and his wife, Carmen, have published about their experiences in adult films are protected by the First Amendment. The university’s attorney argued that Gow’s videos themselves are legal, but that they are not protected speech under his employment contract.

Zach Greenberg, an attorney with free speech advocacy group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, called the regents’ decision “a major blow to academic freedom and free speech rights.”

“FIRE has said time and time again: public universities cannot sacrifice the First Amendment to protect their reputations,” Greenberg said. “We’re disappointed UW caved to donors and politicians by throwing a tenured professor under the bus.”

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Political Context and University Challenges

Republican legislators already view the Universities of Wisconsin system as a liberal incubator. Last year, they forced it to scale back its diversity initiatives. System President Jay Rothman has been trying not to alienate conservatives further as he seeks approval for an $855 million increase in the next state budget.

Earlier this month Rothman’s administration ordered university leaders to maintain neutral viewpoints in their public statements. The move came after UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone struck a deal in May ending pro-Palestinian campus protests that required the university to call for a cease-fire in Gaza and consider cutting ties with Israeli companies. The deal drew intense criticism from Jewish groups.

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Opposition to Gow’s Return to Teaching

Gow’s hope to return to teaching in the classroom was opposed by his department chair, Linda Dickmeyer. She said that because Gow has not taught for 20 years, he would be assigned general education courses, but she opposes allowing him to return to teaching in any role.

Gow was criticized in 2018 for inviting porn actor Nina Hartley to speak on campus. She was paid $5,000 out of student fees to appear. He developed the idea of bringing her to campus after shooting a pornographic video with her, the university said.

Gow and his wife’s e-books were written under pseudonyms: “Monogamy with Benefits: How Porn Enriches Our Relationship” and “Married with Benefits — Our Real-Life Adult Industry Adventures.” But they also star in a YouTube channel called “Sexy Healthy Cooking,” in which the couple cooks meals with porn actors.