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"Some college administrators seem so distracted with fund raising, academic infighting, and community initiatives that they set up their emergency communications departments very poorly. Training is poor to nonexistent, secretaries are pressed into service with tremendous responsibilities for running 'notification systems' 24/7 and on weekends because no one else knows how to do it and the administration won’t pay for additional staff. Procedures are seat-of-the-pants and dependent on HIPPO (highest paid person’s opinion), except when something like Virginia Tech happens and there is some sort of scramble to do something different." --Donna
Most Colleges Avoid Risk Management, Report Says
New Allegations in Admissions Controversy at U. of Illinois Suggest Ex-Provost Played a Role
Linda P.B. Katehi, the incoming chancellor of the University of California at Davis, has insisted she knew nothing of the admission of politically connected applicants at Illinois.
Sonoma State U. Foundation May Lose $350,000 on Loan to Former Board Member
The foundation will be forced to issue fewer scholarships in the 2010-11 academic year because of a diminished endowment, a university official said.
Court Overturns $2-Million Verdict for Former Coach at U. of Louisiana-Lafayette
The coach, one of the few African-Americans in big-time college football, was fired after three losing seasons. He sued, saying he had been dismissed because of his race.
The notorious vermin have forced Colorado State University at Fort Collins to cancel its annual Great Sofa Roundup, which allows students to donate unwanted couches.
Water-Main Break Damages Library at University in St. Louis
Summer classes at Harris-Stowe State University resumed today, but the library remains closed.
College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography | 58
President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It | 58
Drug Sting Nabs 21 Students at U. of Illinois | 57
Faculty Members and Union Protest Staff Layoffs at Temple U. as 'Cruel' | 57
North Dakota Board's Vote Puts 'Fighting Sioux' Mascot on Thinner Ice | 57
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October 19, 2007
Occidental College Settles Lawsuit With 'Shock Jock' Student
Occidental College has settled a lawsuit with a former student who accused it and several of its officials in 2005 of free-speech violations and defamation, among other claims.
The former student, Jason Antebi, was a self-proclaimed “shock jock” on the college’s student radio station, KOXY. His show, “Rant and Rave,” was provocative and satirical, but in 2004, his senior year, Occidental officials said he went too far. After Mr. Antebi insulted specific students — political adversaries who had publicly accused him of racism, and whom he mocked on the air as “Vander Douche” and “Sam the Bearded Feminist” — the college pulled the plug on his program.
The situation then got messier. Three students lodged sexual-harassment complaints against Mr. Antebi, the college found him guilty, and he appealed the verdict. He was found guilty again, and appealed a second time. Meanwhile, the college shut down the student government, which was steeped in related controversies.
After he graduated, Mr. Antebi sued Occidental for $10-million, accusing it of violating the so-called Leonard Law, a California statute that guarantees students at private colleges the same First Amendment rights they would have at public institutions. He also alleged, among other things, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, negligence, and defamation.
A county court dismissed Mr. Antebi’s suit, and an appellate court dismissed all but his defamation claim. The state’s Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Some free-speech advocates denounced the courts’ narrow interpretation of the Leonard Law — that it did not apply to Mr. Antebi because he sued after he graduated.
The college has now settled the remaining defamation claim for a “nominal amount,” according to Stuart D. Tochner, Occidental’s lawyer. “There isn’t and never was any merit to Mr. Antebi’s lawsuit,” said Mr. Tochner. “This settlement will spare the college’s employees from a wasteful diversion of attention.”
He declined to elaborate on the terms of the settlement, as did Mr. Antebi, who represented himself in the negotiations, with support from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Mr. Antebi did say he was happy at the settlement. —Sara Lipka
Posted on Friday October 19, 2007 | Permalink |
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