From today’s Inside Higher Ed:
A law professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has — and the ramifications could extend well beyond his dispute.
Richard J. Peltz is suing two students who are involved in the university’s chapter of the Black Law Student Association, the association itself, and another individual who is affiliated with a black lawyers’ group. Peltz charges them with defamation, saying that his comments about affirmative action were used unfairly to accuse him of racism in a way that tarnished his reputation.
Suing students for what they have said about you is rare if not unheard of, but the topic has suddenly come up not only at Little Rock’s law school, but at Dartmouth College. There, a former instructor recently sent several former students e-mail indicating that she was planning a suit. Robert B. Donin, general counsel of the college, issued a statement in which he said: “We have determined that there is no basis for such action, and we have advised the students and faculty members of this.”
While Professor Peltz’ anger is understandable, as professors we’ve all be subjected to character assassination, innuendo, and crappy evaluations from a disgruntled failing student. Hell, Taylor was called by a now-deceased UST faculty member “a fascist, nothing but a younger version of Augusto Pinochet with better looks and charm.” Lawsuit? Hell no. It was settled in an old school manner: with humor over a couple of scotches (neat, three-finger, of course…).
We’re just not so sure that suing some students is necessarily the best course of action here…
Hell Jon, at least they said you had looks and charm! I mean, if you are going to be fascist, at least do it with style!