Students For Academic Freedom

Central Michigan U. Reprimands Camera-Toting Student Who Targeted Prof Running for Congress · 07 March 2008

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.: A Central Michigan University student who used a video camera and a Web site to criticize an assistant professor running for Congress was issued a letter of reprimand.

Dennis Lennox, a 23-year-old junior, said Wednesday he would appeal the finding that he violated school code.

A conduct proceedings officer ruled that Lennox provided false information to a university official, identified himself as Dick Cheney to a professor and improperly posted fliers on hallway benches.

Lennox said he wasn’t able to defend himself because a secret disciplinary hearing was held during spring break. There was an initial hearing last week, but Lennox and the school clashed over whether he could videotape it.

The hearing officer wrote that Lennox refused to participate in the hearing when he wouldn’t stop videotaping it.

Lennox has followed Gary Peters around campus with a video camera to pressure Peters to choose between his three-year teaching post and a congressional run. Peters, a former lottery commissioner, is seeking the Democratic nod to face Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg in Oakland County in suburban Detroit.

Central Michigan spokesman Steve Smith said he could not discuss specifics of Lennox’s case because of privacy laws. Lennox had warned he could be expelled. But Smith said the purpose of the conduct code is to educate students “with punishment and sanctions as a secondary measure.”

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