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Brigham Young University placed physics professor Steven Jones on paid leave Thursday while it reviews his controversial research on the collapse of the World Trade Center.
Jones published the paper, "Why Indeed Did the World Trade Center Collapse?" in the book, 9/11 And The American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out, and online, and began lecturing in Utah and across the country about his theories, which allege that the planes crashing into the towers created a diversion for an unnamed group, possibly the U.S. military, that had planted bombs inside the towers.
Jones in recent media interviews has said materials found at Ground Zero and studied at BYU found traces of thermite, an explosive compound used by the military. However, Jones did not name any specific people or groups responsible for the explosion.
"We are looking at the increasingly speculative and accusatory nature of Dr. Jones' statements, and the fact this work hasn't been published in appropriate scientific venues," said Carri Jenkins, a BYU spokeswoman.
Jones also was recently appointed co-chairman of Scholars for 9/11 Truth, "a nonpartisan association of faculty, students, and scholars, in fields as diverse as history, science, military affairs, psychology and philosophy, dedicated to exposing falsehoods and to revealing truths behind 9/11," according to its Web site. In addition, he is co-editor of Journal of 9/11 Studies.
Attempts to reach Jones Friday were unsuccessful. His home phone number had been disconnected, and he did not respond to several telephone messages and e-mails left at his office.
While mainstream media outlets have published little about Jones' research, dozens of blogs quote Jones as a leading academic expert on the theory that the twin towers collapsed due to explosions instead of the planes.
Ben Peckham, a Bountiful resident who has followed Jones' work since 2002, said Friday it is "hypocritical" of BYU to place Jones on leave.
"Universities are supposed to convey old knowledge, search for new knowledge and teach critical thinking," Peckham said. "BYU is doing none of those by suspending Dr. Jones."
He wishes people would read Jones' paper, which can be found online at http://www.scholarsfor911truth.org, and decide for themselves "who is using science, and who isn't."
Jones' two classes are being taught by other professors this fall, and Jenkins said the review will last at least throughout fall semester.
"BYU has a policy of academic freedom, but what's expected is that professors submit their work to academic peer reviews so it can be challenged and debated by experts," Jenkins said.
While the investigation is under way, Jones "will be allowed to do research on campus in areas of his academic scholarship," she said.
Whether BYU will allow him to keep his posts with Scholars for 9/11 Truth and Journal of 9/11 Studies is part of what will be reviewed, Jenkins said.
It is rare for a tenured professor to be put on paid leave at BYU. Jones has taught at BYU since 1985 and has been widely published in scientific journals. He garnered international attention in 1987 when he claimed to have created small amounts of cold fusion, though he said it was not enough for a stable energy source.
Jones has had no other research cause a stir like that generated by his 9/11 paper, Jenkins said.
BYU's review of his 9/11 research will involve the school's administration, the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the Physics Department.