The University of Wisconsin Systems Board of Regents has unanimously voted to terminate Joe Gow, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, following the revelation of explicit videos featuring Gow and his wife, Carmen Wilson.
This decision concludes Gow's 14-year tenure, the longest leadership stint at the university since the 1960s. Wilson's unpaid position as associate to the chancellor was also rescinded, according to The New York Times.
Karen Walsh, the head of the board, expressed collective dismay and revulsion at Gow's actions, although the specifics were not elaborated upon in the official statement.
In a recent interview, Gow and Wilson contended that their dismissal was a direct consequence of the explicit videos, shared under the pseudonym "Sexy Happy Couple." They asserted that the university's punitive response to the videos infringes upon their First Amendment rights. The couple's YouTube channel is described as: "A plant-powered couple make delicious vegan food with top adult stars. Great conversation, and more!"
The couple maintained a presence on various social media platforms, including an OnlyFans account.
Gow, expressing surprise at the board's decision, told the Milwaukee Sentinel, "I did not expect that we'd end up where we are now. I thought at least the board, given their staunch support of free speech, would be a little more understanding. But clearly that's not the case."
He further defended their actions, stating, "I would say that anything that I do or my wife and I do, we do as citizens in the United States, who have the freedom of First Amendment to the Constitution, to create and publish books and videos that explore consensual adult sexuality."
Wilson argued that such censorship contradicts the principles of higher education, stressing that the videos are only accessible to those actively seeking such content. Gow, 63, revealed that he and his 56-year-old wife had been producing videos together for years, but only recently decided to make them publicly available on adult websites.
The videos, some of which have attracted hundreds of thousands of views, never mentioned the university or their professional roles. The couple also produced a series featuring interviews with adult film actors during cooking segments, followed by explicit content.
Jay Rothman, President of the University of Wisconsin System, commented that Gow's actions have inflicted "significant reputational harm" on the university. Rothman revealed plans for Gow, a tenured professor of communication, to resume his faculty role following a paid administrative leave. However, Rothman has also called for a review of Gows tenured status and initiated a law firm investigation into the matter.
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