In last month's Legal Alert, the wrong date was used in the case citation for the story "Calif. judge cites anti-SLAPP law in dismissal of libel suit against student newspaper." The correct citation is Reyes v.
Tag: Winter 2001-02
Cartoon sets off censorship battle
CALIFORNIA ' It all started with a political cartoon depicting two Muslims standing in the hand of the devil surrounded by the fires of hell.
Schools continue Net crackdown
As the Internet becomes more accessible to high school students, a variety of problems are arising regarding the rights of students to access and disseminate information over the Web or via e-mail.
In Pennsylvania, a former Keystone Oaks High School student is continuing his lawsuit against administrators who kicked him off the volleyball team for making derogatory comments in an Internet chat room.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pittsburgh filed an amended complaint on behalf of Jack Flaherty asking for damages and a permanent injunction that would bar the school from punishing students for off-campus speech.
Flaherty, who has since graduated, was cut from the team after he made disparaging comments on an Internet forum for western Pennsylvania volleyball players.
Georgetown amends hearing policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. ' Debbie Shick was given a choice. After her son's death in 1999 following a fight with another student near his Georgetown University campus, school officials told Shick she would have to sign a confidentiality agreement preventing her from telling David's siblings the outcome of the disciplinary hearing against the student she believed was responsible for her son's death.
Fake paper sparks policy review
WASHINGTON, D.C. ' A proposal at Georgetown University would curtail the right of students to publish works anonymously or under a pseudonym.
A committee comprised of four students and four faculty members drafted an addendum to the university's policy on speech and expression, giving the vice president the ability to confiscate anonymous publications.
Government uses anti-terrorism law to press colleges for student records
WASHINGTON, D.C. ' The U.S.A. Patriot Act, a comprehensive anti-terrorism bill spurred by the events of Sept.
Supreme Court weighs online protection act
WASHINGTON, D.C. ' The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Nov. 28 regarding the constitutionality of the Child Online Protection Act.
The government appealed after the U.S.
Maine newspaper gains access to police log
MAINE ' The Free Press, University of Southern Maine's newspaper, was granted access to campus police records after threatening the university with a lawsuit.
In previous years, The Free Press was given access to a special 'Clery Act notebook' said to include all criminal activity on campus.
President not amused by sexy drink specials
CONNECTICUT ' Central Connecticut State University President Richard Judd opened his copy of the student newspaper, The Recorder, one September morning and read on page 10, 'How does having Sex on the Beach or an Orgasm sound?'
Judd did not think the advertisement referencing two popular drink names served at a local eatery, Elmer's, was appropriate.
DJ quits after guest burns flag on Emory U. radio
A disc jockey for Emory University's student radio station quit after an American flag was burned in the studio during her show, and the guest responsible for the act was assaulted following the broadcast.