Despite receiving endorsements from outside reviewers, fellow faculty members, and his department chair, Desir was told he had not produced enough creative work. He said he was judged on narrow parameters that excluded Desir’s pure cinematography work.  

“That’s changing the rules in the middle of the game and finding an excuse to deny tenure,” Desir said. “The [report] pointed out that the standards for tenure are not clear, so people going up for tenure are not sure of how they will be judged. I was doing work in two disciplines but was evaluated in one. I’m both a filmmaker and cinematographer.”

The review panel criticized Emerson for its confusing tenure process and recommended disclosing all requirements and clarifying the guidelines so “there [are] no surprises for faculty being evaluated.”

Desir said he has spoken with a national law firm that is interested in taking his case pro bono against Emerson to seek legal damages for emotional distress.

“It took me months to recover, and my life was turned upside down. There is emotional wear and tear; it’s not easy being rejected,” Desir said, adding that, as a visiting professor at Dillard, he is not eligible for health benefits.

Emerson’s president, Jacqueline Liebergott, said the school is planning to meet with faculty, students and staff to implement the report’s recommendations but noted there is no word on whether the school would consider restoring Desir.

For now, Desir is rambling about city streets on a motorcycle, this time in New Orleans.

“I should’ve had tenure two years ago, and I’ve got to get paid for what I’ve done there otherwise they don’t suffer anything,” he said. “I’m happy to be here, but I still feel cheated because it was a very important seven years of my life where I thought I had developed something of great value.”