A long-standing issue involving a professor at Bakersfield College in Kern County has finally come to a close with a $2.4 million settlement and the professor’s resignation. Matthew Garrett, a tenured history professor, resigned from his position and dropped all claims against the Kern Community College District as part of the settlement reached in July.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleged that the community college district violated Garrett’s First Amendment rights. Despite the settlement, the federal suit will continue with Erin Miller, another history professor at Bakersfield College, as the lead plaintiff. The next hearing is scheduled for November 7 in Fresno.
As part of the settlement, the district will pay $2.2 million for general and emotional distress damages and $154,520 for back pay and medical benefits. However, neither the district nor Garrett admitted to any wrongdoing or liability. Garrett, who was critical of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the college, cited financial strain and concerns about prolonged legal battles as reasons for settling.
The dispute between Garrett and the district revolved around allegations of unprofessional conduct and disruptive actions on campus. While the district claimed that the issue was not related to free speech, Garrett maintained that his First Amendment rights were violated and that he was retaliated against for criticizing the administration’s political agenda.
The case drew attention from free speech advocates who believe that colleges are suppressing conservative viewpoints. David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, emphasized the importance of protecting academic freedom and controversial speech on college campuses. The conflict at Bakersfield College highlighted tensions over DEI initiatives and campus protest, leading to internal strife among faculty and staff.
Moving forward, the Kern Community College District is working to address concerns raised in a workplace survey, including creating a leadership development program for supervisors. While the settlement concluded the legal battle, Garrett continues to speak out against the district’s practices and advocate for accountability among board members and administrators.
Despite the settlement, the underlying issues surrounding free speech, academic freedom, and DEI initiatives at Bakersfield College serve as a reminder of the challenges facing educational institutions in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment while upholding principles of free expression. The resolution of the case offers an opportunity for reflection and dialogue on how to navigate such complex issues in the future.
