Knight critic to return to teaching next semester

English Professor Murray Sperber is returning to the classroom next semester after taking a leave of absence because of safety concerns. Sperber, who has made critical comments about former men's basketball coach Bob Knight, took the leave after receiving threatening phone calls and e-mails from Knight supporters last spring.\nSperber had originally decided last spring to take the entire year off but said he reconsidered his plans after Knight was fired Sept. 10.\n"I assumed he would be coaching this year," Sperber said. "I also assumed there would be incidents and such, and I would speak out, and it would be like it was last spring."\nBut since Knight's firing, Sperber said the campus atmosphere has calmed down enough so he can again do his job effectively. Sperber stressed he has not received a threat in a number of months. \nThe IU Police Department has been working with Sperber to prepare him if a threatening situation arises in one of the two classes he is teaching. The professor is taking some precautions, such as meeting with students in places other then his office and examining classroom setup.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the situation is not unique and his department is treating it as an information-gathering project.\n"We meet with the person, discuss what is going on and give them information," Minger said. "We just wanted to make sure that Murray and the police department discussed our similar concerns about safety and to let him know that we are there 24 hours a day."\nMinger said the advice the department gave Sperber ranged from workplace violence training to self-defense classes and disgruntled student and employee workshops.\nInternet forums, where people can post and respond to messages, are the main place where Sperber is still criticized, he said. Many Knight fans have specifically chastised Sperber on these sites.\n"I don't consider it threatening, I just consider it nasty," Sperber said. "What disturbs me a little is that I am aware there are lots of IU students that post there, and I hope none of them get it in their head to disrupt any of my classes."\nSperber was told to monitor these sites, noting the unique address that could help identify the poster. \nIf someone does disrupt his class, Sperber said he has several options for repercussions.\n"Depending on the level of disruption, the IUPD said to call immediately. But there's also regular channels through the dean's office," Sperber said. "I hope it would not come to that, but then again I hoped it would not come to this."\nEnglish department chairman Kenneth Johnston said he was happy to have Sperber return to the classroom.\n"We're just glad to have Murray back, because it looked originally like he might not be teaching the spring semester," Johnston said. "He's a terrific teacher."\nSperber said he is excited to return to what he enjoys.\n"I love to teach, and it's one of the things I do well in this world," Sperber said. "I very much regretted having to take the fall semester off"