LEXINGTON, Kentucky — A federal judge has ruled that a University of Kentucky law professor may not return to teaching while the university continues an investigation into his criticism of Israel and support for Palestine.
U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves denied a request from Assistant Professor Ramsi Woodcock to resume classroom duties and halt the university’s inquiry, concluding that the investigation was not shown to be retaliatory or conducted in bad faith. In a 41-page order, Reeves wrote that the review was triggered by external complaints and that Woodcock failed to demonstrate the university acted with improper intent.
Woodcock, who remains a tenured faculty member with full pay and benefits, has been reassigned from teaching and barred from entering the law school building during the investigation. He filed suit in November seeking reinstatement and challenging the university’s use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in disciplinary matters.
University officials cited complaints from faculty and students alleging Woodcock made repeated public comments describing Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide and expressed political views in academic settings. Woodcock disputes those claims, arguing his statements were grounded in scholarly research and that he avoided discussing the issue in class to protect students.
Reeves also rejected claims that the university’s outside investigator or President Eli Capilouto were biased, stating the institution has discretion to distance itself from speech it believes undermines its mission. The judge ordered both parties to submit status updates every 30 days and allowed Woodcock to amend his complaint once the investigation concludes.
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