University fires former pornography chancellor who wanted to stay

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously Friday to fire Joe Gow, the university’s former president, after a controversial career change to focus on making pornographic films.

Gow, who served as UW-La Crosse’s chancellor for nearly 17 years, sought to retain his teaching position at the university after being fired in 2023.

He argued that his videos and writings about his experiences in the adult film industry were protected by the First Amendment. But university lawyers argued that Gow had breached his employment contract, damaged the university’s reputation and acted unethically.

On Friday morning, the regents held a closed meeting before the public vote. There was no discussion in the open session before the vote on his dismissal.

Gow has been on paid leave from his teaching position since the regents fired him as chancellor after university officials discovered his involvement in pornographic films.

According to Gow, the videos and two e-books that he and his wife, Carmen, published about their experiences in the adult industry were created on his private time and had no connection with the university.

“The people who fired me today are not the ‘Board of Regents,’ they are the ‘Board of Hypocrites,'” Gow said in a statement after his firing.

“They have zero credibility on freedom of speech and expression.”

He plans to file a lawsuit against the university, claiming the firing violates his right to free speech.

Gowa’s films, which were posted on pornographic websites, were accompanied by two e-books written under pseudonyms: Monogamy with benefits: How porn enriches our relationship AND Marriage with Benefits – Our real adventures in the adult industry.

He and his wife also run a YouTube channel called Sexy healthy cooking where they cook meals with porn actors.

Zach Greenberg, a lawyer for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), condemned the board’s decision as a blow to academic freedom.

“FIRE has said repeatedly: public universities cannot sacrifice the First Amendment to protect their reputations,” he said. “We are disappointed that the University of Warsaw bowed to donors and politicians by throwing a tenured professor under the bus.”

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman maintains a delicate relationship with Republican lawmakers who are pressuring the system to scale back diversity initiatives and view the university as a liberal institution.

The Rothman administration recently directed university officials to remain neutral in public statements.

Retaining Gow in any position could spark further opposition from Republican lawmakers, jeopardizing a requested $855 million increase to the system in the next state budget.

In 2018, Gow faced criticism for inviting porn star Nina Hartley to speak on campus and paying her $5,000 in tuition.

Apparently he came up with the idea for the event after shooting a pornographic film with her.

Despite Gow’s long academic career, which included numerous teaching awards at Alfred University in New York, Linda Dickmeyer, chair of UW-La Crosse’s communications department, opposed his return to teaching.

She argued that Gow, who had not taught for more than 20 years, would be assigned general education courses but should not be allowed to teach in any capacity.

Gow maintains that his involvement in adult films should not disqualify him from teaching or academic life, and his fight for his livelihood may continue in court.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.