Alec

Klein statement

I categorically deny the allegations and intend to take legal action. Many of the allegations
involved a disgruntled former employee who had been on a corrective-action plan for poor
work performance several years ago. The university conducted an extensive investigation,
interviewing current and former employees, former students and others, and reviewing emails,
expenses and other records. The complaint was determined to be completely unfounded. I was
cleared of any wrongdoing and the claim was dismissed. The university determined the
complainant was not credible and documented, through records and her own words, several
falsehoods in her charges. The university took the additional step to require that she never
apply for a job at Northwestern again. And the university reached out to every person
interviewed as part of its investigation to notify them that I had not done anything wrong and
the case had been dismissed.
The bulk of the other allegations were brought to the attention of Northwestern’s Office of
Equal Opportunity and Access, and no violations were found.
Under separate cover, I have provided you with the Course and Teacher Evaluation of Medill
Justice Project classes I have taught at Northwestern University over the nearly decade I have
been a professor at the university. The student evaluations are anonymous, which means
students are free to say whatever they like. Instructors do not see these anonymous
evaluations until after the grading period is over. In their anonymous evaluations, my students
have overwhelmingly indicated they had a wonderful experience in my classes, and not once
have they accused me of any mistreatment. In their anonymous evaluations, my students have
overwhelmingly said the class was among the best they have ever taken, and they have
specifically noted how much I care for them.
I have taught hundreds students in scores of classes at Northwestern. I have also served as an
adviser to scores of students and overseen scores more who have worked with me. I strive for
all of the students in my classes to have a wonderful experience. It’s also true that I have high
expectations for my students and expect them to do their best because the goal is for them to
become better journalists. Investigating potentially wrongful convictions is rigorous work, and it
requires the highest levels of accuracy, fairness and thoroughness because we are publishing
for the world. Our work sometimes challenges powerful institutions and is always closely
scrutinized. I am fully committed to my students and spend countless hours working with them,
helping them conduct reporting in the field and editing their work. For years, my Medill Justice
Project class was open only to undergraduate Medill students who must apply to be admitted,
and there is frequently a long wait list. Because of growing demand, in 2013, I opened the
course to graduate students and to non-Medill students at Northwestern University. In 2014, I
won approval from the full Medill faculty to turn the class into the equivalent of two courses
instead of one to better reflect the students’ significant time commitment.
Over the years, I have received countless letters and emails from students expressing their
gratitude for their experience in my classes, and have also been honored at various faculty
appreciation events and received recognition for my teaching at Northwestern.
Because of federal laws about student privacy, I am limited in what I am permitted to say about
the former students referenced.
I have tried to lead The Medill Justice Project with honor. Our investigation played a role in a
federal judge’s decision to release a day care worker about a decade before her sentence
would have been up. In another investigation, prosecutors dropped all major charges against a
stay-at-home mother who was then set free. Our work contributed to a prisoner being released
from solitary confinement after more than 36 years. There are many other instances where our
work has helped people and society.

Respectfully,
Prof. Alec Klein, Northwestern University
Director, The Medill Justice Project