'F--- your life' professor was 'uncivil' Brookdale says, apologizes to Trump student

MIDDLETOWN - Brookdale Community College apologized to a President Donald Trump-supporting student who said he was harassed by a professor, with the college saying the faculty member "acted in an uncivil manner."

The apology comes after a video, which you can see at the top of the page, was made public showing professor Howard Finkelstein tell a conservative student "f--- your life" during a sociology class debate about sexual harassment.

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Brookdale's statement released Wednesday afternoon said while it recognizes academic freedom and differing viewpoints, the college found that:

"In a recent class, a faculty member acted in an uncivil manner. We apologize to this student and to all students in the classroom for the way in which this faculty member behaved. The matter remains under investigation by the college’s administration. We are confident that we will reach a conclusion soon and determine an appropriate course of action."

The student, Christopher Lyle, said he was glad the college issued the public apology. But he said the college also should go further.

Lyle, who says he was singled out in class because he's conservative and a supporter of Trump, said he wants Finkelstein to retire. Finkelstein started teaching in the public college system in 1976, according to public records from the state pension system. It was not immediately known when he started at Brookdale. Finkelstein was paid a base salary of $122,338 last year, according to pension records.

Finkelstein could not be reached for comment in the last two days.

Lyle said he did not want the educator to be fired or in any other way lose retirement benefits he's earned from the school. Finkelstein has taught at Brookdale since 1976 and earns $128,344.

"I wish this guy no harm. At the same time, I want the right thing to be done," he said.

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Lyle said he also wants Brookdale to improve its policies toward veterans and sponsor an on-campus charity for veterans.

Lyle said he's making the request because of statements he and his fellow students say Finkelstein made toward a veteran in the class called Intercultural Communication: The Person and the Process.

Students who spoke to the Asbury Park Press did not recall the exact wording of Finkelstein's comments but said the professor told the veteran that he was paid to kill people.

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The students also said Finkelstein used the n-word in several classes.

Joey Smith, the student who videotaped the exchange between Finkelstein and Lyle, said he felt uncomfortable in class but initially did not speak out. He decided to come forward when the n-word was used in a subsequent class.

"I felt uncomfortable because I was the only black kid in the class," Smith said.

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"He asked, 'Has anyone heard the word 'n---'?'" I said, 'Are you actually asking that question?'" Smith said, recalling the exchange that he said happened toward the beginning of the semester.

"We are in college. Of course we have heard that word. And if we haven't, why are you introducing it?" Smith said.

The class, which typically takes place Wednesday nights, was canceled this week, students said.

Finkelstein has received mixed reviews through the student rating website, www.ratemyprofessors.com.

Half of the reviews posted before the video became public listed Finkelstein as "Awesome," providing him the top ranking for quality and the easiest rating for difficulty. But others reviewed him poorly, saying he wasn't clear about his expectations for students.

Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com