Professor and community college agree to $2.4 million settlement in case involving free speech

Matthew Garrett, a former professor at Bakersfield College, recently reached a settlement in a lawsuit with his former employer. The settlement, which includes a $2.4 million payment from the Kern Community College District, also resulted in Garrett’s resignation. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleged that the district violated Garrett’s First Amendment rights. As part of the settlement, Garrett dropped all claims against the district and agreed to resign from his position.

The district will pay $2.2 million for alleged general and emotional distress damages through an annuity, as well as $154,520 for back pay and medical benefits. Both parties involved in the settlement are not admitting to any wrongdoing or liability.

Garrett, a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the Kern Community College District, claimed that the district was promoting “highly partisan propaganda.” He wrote a piece in 2023 criticizing the administration for what he perceived as turning Bakersfield College into a place of implicit bias and microaggression training, racial quotas, and racially segregated programming.

Despite the settlement, there is still disagreement between Garrett and the district regarding the details of the dispute. The district claims that Garrett’s conduct towards other faculty and students was unprofessional, while Garrett maintains that the district violated his First Amendment rights and retaliated against him for criticizing the administration.

The controversy surrounding Garrett’s case has attracted the attention of free speech advocates who believe that college campuses are suppressing conservative viewpoints. Garrett’s attorney, Arthur Willner, took on the case because he believes that free speech is under assault on college campuses nationwide.

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The conflict began with a debate in the op-ed pages of The Bakersfield Californian, which led to a public presentation by Garrett at Bakersfield College. The debate centered around how the college administration responded to different incidents on campus. Garrett defended the free speech rights of individuals involved in these incidents and criticized the administration for its handling of the situation.

The implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Kern Community College District has divided faculty and staff. Garrett’s public accusations have been cited as a source of internal strife within the district.

The settlement with the Kern Community College District does not mark the end of Garrett’s criticism of the district. He continues to speak out against certain district officials and board members, demanding accountability and pointing out what he perceives as ongoing problems within the district.

Overall, the settlement between Matthew Garrett and the Kern Community College District represents the resolution of a long-running dispute that raised important questions about free speech in academia and the challenges of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on college campuses.