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"Measuring graduation rates is indeed a charade. Yes, some programs have a “respectable” rate of graduating athletes, but these grads often take gut courses, major in fields that have little academic rigor (coaching, general studies), and are placed in courses taught by profs who wouldn’t recognize an academic standard if it slept in their bed. The whole enterprise ought to be called academic gerrymandering."
—Gary
NCAA Imposes Stiffer Penalties for Academic Performance of Midlevel Division I Teams
U. of Evansville President Arrested on Drunken-Driving Charges
In a statement released today by the university, Stephen G. Jennings acknowledged making “a very serious mistake” and apologized.
Petitions Are Filed for Arizona and Nebraska Referenda on Affirmative Action
The backers of a similar measure in Colorado filed petitions months ago, but legal challenges may complicate such campaigns.
Oklahoma's Matching-Gift Backlog Booms Despite Moratorium
Instead of helping to clear a $225-million backlog of matching-gift obligations, a July 1 moratorium on the program has set back the state even more.
Italian-American Groups Rally to Save Advanced Placement Test in Italian
The Italian ambassador to the United States is leading efforts to raise money to continue the examination.
U. of Chicago Students Scramble After Lender Pulls Out
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is ending its “school as lender” arrangement with the university.
Darwin Defeated in the Bayou: Louisiana Encourages 'Critical Thinking' About Evolution | 88
ACLU Complains About Noon-Meal Prayers at Naval Academy | 77
Columbia U. Fires Teachers College Professor Accused of Rampant Plagiarism | 61
U. of Phoenix's Report on Students' Progress Is 'Disingenuous,' Critic Says | 49
Student Who Died at Professor's Home Suffered a Drug Overdose | 47
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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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