 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
"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
Jill Biden Shines a Global Spotlight on American Community Colleges
Speaking at a Unesco conference in Paris, the vice president’s wife stressed the importance of two-year institutions to the nation’s educational goals.
Connecticut Public Colleges Lose 200 Professors to Early Retirement
Administrators are scrambling to plug holes in their course schedules for fall, with most expecting to do so by hiring more adjuncts or increasing class sizes.
U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show
The two were among five with houses on property where the university plans to build new academic facilities.
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.
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
Athletics
Community Colleges
Government & Politics
Information Technology
International
Money & Management
Northern Illinois
Research & Books
Short Subjects
Students
The Faculty
Prior days' news: By date | Search
This week's print issue
Back issues: By date | Search
November 30, 2008
Judge Reverses $16-Million Judgment Against U. of Texas Fraternity
A state judge in Texas has set aside his own ruling that had ordered a University of Texas at Austin fraternity chapter and its national parent organization to pay $16.2-million to the parents of a freshman pledge who died in a drinking-related fall, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
The judge, John Dietz, issued the default judgment in October after the fraternity failed to respond to a lawsuit filed by the student’s parents in September. But the fraternity chapter and organization were allowed to seek a new trial if they could explain why they had not responded to the suit, the Austin newspaper reported.
A lawyer for the fraternity groups said in a news release last week that the court had accepted their explanation and that a trial would now proceed as if the default judgment had not been entered.
The lawsuit concerns the death of Tyler Cross, who died in 2006 after falling from a fifth-floor balcony at his off-campus apartment while drunk. Investigators said his death followed a night of hazing by members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. —Charles Huckabee
Posted on Sunday November 30, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
Previous: U. of California Will Finance Labor Program Whose Funds Were Vetoed
Next: Australian Composer Wins U. of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Music
It is important to get the cause and effect correct in this case. Hazing should not be tolerated. However, private drinking with friends in a private home is a legal right. Let’s hope the fraternity stops hazing and did not sponsor a drinking party at a private home.
— LJ Dec 1, 10:36 AM #
Word. The classical legal “negligence” paradigm may apply: Duty – Breach – Causation – Damages.
Does an alcohol-serving entity have a duty to protect those they serve them from their own drunken antics?
I’m sure there are many different opinions on that…
— David Dec 1, 12:05 PM #
I’d love to know what their explanation for failing to respond was.
— anonymous Dec 1, 02:31 PM #
The fraternity’s lawyer said the failure to respond was an “accident” and the Austin paper said he fell from a balcony at an off campus “dormitory”.
— Kathy Dec 1, 03:25 PM #