Psychology Professor Fired for Off-Campus Burlesque Hobby

3/16/2011 7:23:13 AM

Hamilton Nolan â€” Sheila Addison was a psychology professor at John F. Kennedy University in California. At the same time, she was performing in a San Francisco burlesque show, the Hubba Hubba Revue, under the name "Professor Shimmy" (sample performance above.) The school decided that was too scandalous, and fired her. Now she's suing.

According to Addison's lawsuit, there was no connection between her burlesque hobby and her teaching; she never talked about it in class, and she never talked about the school on stage. Nevertheless, the school said her performances brought "public disrespect, contempt, and ridicule to the university." Which in a way is true, because I'd never heard of JFKU before, but I'm pretty sure it's not a very good school, considering how much stock photography it employs on its website, and also considering the fact that it's run by fools:

Administrators also cited concerns that word of her performances had spread among students, who had lost respect for her and were "shocked and dismayed."

College students "shocked and dismayed" by a freaking burlesque show? This show's not even topless. The average college student has been Googling hardcore porn since they hit puberty. I mean, there wasn't even a fucksaw involved. What a bunch of bullshit.

JFK would be ashamed. That dude loved sex.

http://gawker.com/#!5781707/psychology-p…

Mar 14, 2011

3 comments

Latest

Prim0

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14 years ago

I can kinda see both sides. As an employee, I feel that if I'm off the clock I should be able to do as I please without it affecting my job. From an employer point of view, I wouldn't want employees doing things that made my organization look bad. Isn't that what contracts are for...to define what is acceptable for the employer and employee?

deogol

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14 years ago

I always found it quaint how strippers say they are going to become school teachers.

DoctorDarby

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14 years ago

OK, first of all, that clip is really scary and second, there is nothing remotely offensive about it except it is hokey and dumb. I am guessing that she was not a tenured or full time professor and thus expendable. I don't know anything about this school, but at some universities, this kind of "performance art" would be on campus as a cultural activity. Even more surprising is that this is taking place at a school in the most liberal city in American. People are such idiots.

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