Nona Gerard, former associate professor of theatre arts at Penn State Altoona, was fired yesterday after the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure recommended her termination two weeks ago.

Penn State spokesman Steve MacCarthy confirmed that Gerard's termination was approved by Penn State President Graham Spanier yesterday.

"The president has reviewed the case and has concurred with the committee," he said. "The university is confident that the decision was the right decision and has been handled correctly."

MacCarthy said he could not comment further because this was a "personnel matter."

Gerard said she feels "extremely disappointed."

"This is a terrible precedent to be set for what is considered academic freedom of speech in a university environment," she said. "My lawyer was very disturbed by the decision."

She said that a federal lawsuit "will be filed" alleging gender discrimination and violations of her First Amendment rights.

Gerard was charged with "grave misconduct" and "failure to perform" in a letter from Penn State Altoona Dean William Cale in August after writing e-mail messages which criticized the integrative arts department.

Closed hearings were held at University Park in January. The report by the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure dropped charges of "failure to perform" but found Gerard guilty of "grave misconduct" by a 3-2 vote.

Spanier issued a two-paragraph letter explaining his decision yesterday but was unavailable for comment because he is attending a conference in England until Thursday.

"Upon careful consideration, I have concluded that the finding of the committee that adequate cause has been demonstrated to terminate your tenured appointment should be upheld," said Spanier in the letter. "I therefore concur with the committee's recommendation that your employment with the university be terminated."

Gerard's attorney called her yesterday morning telling her not to go to class and to speak with Cale. Cale gave her a notice telling her to vacate her office and return her keys by 5 p.m. Wednesday. He also said that she will be paid and receive health benefits until March 31.

He also said professors have been assigned to take over her teaching and advising commitments.

"My students and I packed up everything today," she said. "There were police services at classes and rehearsals as if I'm an uncontrollable criminal."

She said that the she feels the decision is "irresponsible to students who have paid tuition."

Cale said he agreed with Spanier's decision but had not spoken with him.

He said the termination went into effect yesterday and substitute professors would be used temporarily, but "ultimately, there will be a search for a new professor."

Chris Cattell (sophomore-English), a Penn State Altoona student, helped clean out Gerard's office today.

"We're all pretty distraught, he said. "We've been crying all day. We feel cheated that President Spanier has taken no time in making his decision."

He said a rally is being organized for 3 today at Penn State Altoona "to inform the campus of the injustices that have occurred."

R.J. Thomas (freshman-agricultural and extension education), a student of Gerard, said he doesn't understand the university's decision.

"Students are not being acknowledged or heard," he said. "The university is not taking students into consideration and we are the most important people to them and we should be heard."

Gerard, a tenured professor, has worked for the university since 1988.