Peoria Standard

An Illinois Central College history professor’s assignment for his students requiring them to be critical of President Donald Trump’s personal character has landed him in hot water with the university.

The assignment required students to write about Trump in ways that demonstrated he is a pathological liar and sexual predator, according to the Journal Star. Professor Troy Daugherty, whose class was American History since 1877, also allegedly threatened to fail a student who expressed an intent to write about Trump’s position on abortion without also discussing the role abortion has played in Trump’s personal life.

The assignment and Daugherty’s positions drew the attention of the conservative youth organization Young America’s Foundation, which published a story regarding Daugherty on its website. The story included screenshots of the assignment as it was sent to students, and alleged a statement from Daugherty that Trump “is not fit for the office.”

The university has responded to the allegations by stating that the biased criteria presented in the assignment is not in keeping with its policies.

“While the professor’s published grading rubric establishes unbiased criteria for grading, the assignment was presented in a manner that presents a biased approach,” a university statement read. “Presentation of a biased approach, of any sort, is inconsistent with the free exchange of ideas we promote and is not condoned by the college. This serves as a great reminder to us all to practice etiquette regarding political preferences and beliefs.”

Kayla Thompson, a university spokesperson, told the Journal Star she could not comment on details regarding disciplinary or other personnel actions, but said that, “we have addressed this moving forward.”

The Journal Star noted that students were given the option, if they chose not to write about why Trump is a pathological liar and sexual predator, to instead write a review of one of several books that are critical of Trump.