Minnesota Court Upholds University’s Right to Discipline Student Over Facebook Comments

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has upheld the University of Minnesota’s right to discipline a student in a mortuary-sciences class over comments she posted on Facebook, Minnesota Public Radio reported. One comment referred to stabbing someone. Others referred to cadavers used in an embalming lab in a way that upset the families of anatomy-bequest donors. The student, Amanda Tatro, had argued that the university had no authority to discipline her for off-campus activities. In an opinion issued today, however, the court said that the university had not violated Ms. Tatro’s rights by holding her accountable to the program’s rules requiring respect and professionalism, and by taking seriously any potential threats.