A Monash University tutor who was suspended after he used the N-word multiple times during a class has been reinstated to “his regularly scheduled tutorials” from tonight.

Students in the unit 'From Freud to Friends: Ethnic Identity in Popular Culture' (ATS 2000) received an email from course coordinator Associate Professor David Slucki this morning.

The email informed students Dr Lacey would return to work, after an investigation into his conduct found his use of the offensive slur was covered by "academic freedom".

Monash University defines academic freedom as "promoting critical and free enquiry, informed intellectual discourse and public debate within the University and in the wider society".

The email was provided to MOJO News this afternoon by a student in Dr Lacey’s class.

“The matter has now been fully investigated by the University,” Assoc. Prof. Slucki wrote in the email.

“Dr Lacey did not engage in serious misconduct or misconduct, and has not breached University policy.

“The investigation concluded that the incident fell within the remit of academic freedom.”

A Monash University spokesperson provided a statement to MOJO News on May 12, stating that the university “has concluded its investigation into the student complaints”.

“The employee exercised academic freedom within the meaning of clause 10.2 of the Agreement and the corresponding Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy, and did not engage in any misconduct,”

“The employee fully cooperated with the investigation, has offered apologies to the students and has agreed to modify language,” the spokesperson said.

Dr Lacey was suspended from his Teaching Associate position following the incident during which a Black student mistakenly entered his 8am class on February 27, and expressed their offence at him using the slur.

Students took to social media, sharing their frustration at Lacey’s actions, and started a Change.org petition to pressure the University to have Dr Lacey fired.

The petition failed to gain traction, with only 14 signatories as of today, May 11.

MOJO News spoke with Dr Lacey regarding the incident in March, when he apologised for offending the students.

He maintained he only used the word in “an academic setting” supported by a “fairly strong body of literature and opinion”.

Dr Lacey was contacted by MOJO News tonight, but declined to comment on his return to the classroom.