Can a professor be fired for lying about a student breaking the rules?

Question

So let's say a professor at a college knowingly lies and tells the administration that a student did something that got the student expelled. Say administration found out the professor lied. Would that professor normally be fired?

Thanks.

Answer 1

There is no "normal" answer. Grounds for firing depends on numerous factors. Some universities have explicit rules and procedures regarding termination, and they depend on the "status" of the person (ask about "tenure" on Academia SE). In principle, a faculty person can be fired because be belched, or wore a business-inappropriate shirt. State-funded universities may have stronger job protections built in to their rule system. I think it is likely that the administration would strongly want to fire him, though first they would undo the expulsion (which they can do).