Troy professor finds controversy with university letterheads

Swartz teaches in Hawkins Hall room 111, where he was pulled from class. Nate Henderson photo

A Troy professor landed in hot water after using a university-branded document to send a letter to the Alabama Representatives and Numeracy Act leaders, criticizing the Alabama Numeracy Act (ANA) Course Review Committee.

In the letter, Micah Swartz, an assistant teacher education professor in his second year at Troy, outlined three issues with the ANA Course Review Committee’s proposed numeracy syllabi for Troy University undergraduates. This was not Swartz’s first time complaining to legislature using Troy University letterheads.

“I am a Troy faculty, and this is an experience I’ve had as a Troy faculty – creating these syllabi has been a function of my job, and so I felt […] it was just fitting,” Swartz said. “I didn’t really encounter any issues the first time and so I figured if it was received well the first time and nobody seemed to care much, then I guess the second time would be OK as well.”

Upon discovering Swartz’s use of a university letterhead, Troy gave Swartz an infraction and suspended his access to classroom technology.

“I could understand them being unhappy and explaining there are certain protocols and ways of doing things here, and these are the steps you have to follow,” Swartz said. “I think what I felt was most extreme was turning off access to all my technology in the middle of teaching my class.

“I felt like, for me, where it crossed a line is when it disrupts my students’ education and the education they and their parents and families are paying for.”

After being pulled from his class during a lecture and disciplined for sending the letter, Swartz shared the letter through the course’s Canvas with his confused and concerned students – an action the university followed with a second infraction.

“I feel like that sets a scary precedent that there’s maybe only certain material that Troy deems is appropriate or as the type of stuff we’re allowed to post to Canvas,” Swartz said. “I do wonder what that says about what we’re able to share with our students, but I don’t necessarily think inherently that them being upset about the letterhead is a bad or wrong thing.”

In a provided statement, Troy University said it does not comment publicly on confidential personnel matters and therefore cannot address specific situations involving an individual employee. Troy University did outline the rules regarding personal representation as a faculty member.

“Troy respects the rights of faculty and staff to speak as private citizens on matters of public concern,” said Troy University in a provided statement. “Employees speaking in a personal capacity are expected to make clear that they do not represent the University and to ensure that their statements could not reasonably be perceived as an institutional endorsement.”

This statement follows nearly identical wording to Section 3.9.1 in the Troy University 2026 Staff Handbook, which says, “A faculty member who speaks or acts as a private citizen must make it clear that his/her actions or statement are personal and are not sponsored or approved by the faculty or by the University.”

Continued infractions or disciplinary notices can lead to dismissal, something Swartz understands but is not dissuaded by.

“At any point, there’s a chance [dismissal] could happen, but I think when I look at the pros and the cons, I think the pros of trying to speak up and be somebody trying to make some change here far outweighs the cons of potentially getting let go,” Swartz said. “I know that in a lot of ways, the concerns I’m voicing represent the concerns of many, but a lot of others are understandably afraid to speak out because of the repercussions of losing their job.

“I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done. If anything, I’m more invigorated to make change.”

The Tropolitan plans to continue covering this situation should any updates arise.