2008 Woodie Awards
Lennox files formal complaint against faculty
By: Angie Favot
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Lennox said he can't imagine CMU supporting the "despicable actions" of these faculty members.
"Professor Blake and several other members decided to smear my character and integrity and make an unfound accusation," he said.
"I took action. I wasn't going to wait any longer."
Blake and Hicks, responding to an e-mail from CM Life on Tuesday, referred comment to CMU's General Counsel Eileen Jennings, who then referred comment to Director of Media Relations Steve Smith. Smith said the university was unaware of the filing as of Thursday afternoon.
"We have not heard of this at all yet so we would have to hear from the government bodies he allegedly contacted," Smith said.
Smith said the proper body would have to investigate the issue to check the validity.
Weinstock, contacted Tuesday by phone, said he did not accuse or diagnose Lennox of anything.
"Somebody suggested we need to keep an eye on this kid, and I said if this is true, we need to," he said. "I think faculty would be entirely negligent if they didn't."
During the listserv conversation, Weinstock asked department chair Marcia Taylor, what, if anything, the department should do.
Weinstock on Tuesday said in light of recent school shootings, witnesses always say they ignored the behavioral signs of the shooter.
"Everyone in this university needs to be aware and talk about it," he said. "I applaud the faculty in being aware and alert."
Weinstock said he suspects the Department of Education will dismiss the case.
Lennox said he has no history of mental illness.
"Even if I did, which I don't, they could not talk about it under medical confidentiality laws," he said.
Lennox said this is not something he is going to tolerate.
"The school shooter allegation is the most absurd," he said. "I'm a political science major and I hope to work in the government so this could interfere with my background check."
Lennox said the ordeal has been "an incredible distraction" for him.
"Knowing what my own professors and professors I might have think about me, how can I expect to be treated fair," he said. "It's really frustrating and it's creating a very hostile learning environment for simply raising legitimate questions."
Lennox said CMU is well aware of the e-mails, and had four months to handle the situation.
He said students should support him, regardless of their political views.
"I don't care whether you like me or not - this behavior should sicken you," Lennox said.
news@cm-life.com
"Professor Blake and several other members decided to smear my character and integrity and make an unfound accusation," he said.
"I took action. I wasn't going to wait any longer."
Blake and Hicks, responding to an e-mail from CM Life on Tuesday, referred comment to CMU's General Counsel Eileen Jennings, who then referred comment to Director of Media Relations Steve Smith. Smith said the university was unaware of the filing as of Thursday afternoon.
"We have not heard of this at all yet so we would have to hear from the government bodies he allegedly contacted," Smith said.
Smith said the proper body would have to investigate the issue to check the validity.
Weinstock, contacted Tuesday by phone, said he did not accuse or diagnose Lennox of anything.
"Somebody suggested we need to keep an eye on this kid, and I said if this is true, we need to," he said. "I think faculty would be entirely negligent if they didn't."
During the listserv conversation, Weinstock asked department chair Marcia Taylor, what, if anything, the department should do.
Weinstock on Tuesday said in light of recent school shootings, witnesses always say they ignored the behavioral signs of the shooter.
"Everyone in this university needs to be aware and talk about it," he said. "I applaud the faculty in being aware and alert."
Weinstock said he suspects the Department of Education will dismiss the case.
Lennox said he has no history of mental illness.
"Even if I did, which I don't, they could not talk about it under medical confidentiality laws," he said.
Lennox said this is not something he is going to tolerate.
"The school shooter allegation is the most absurd," he said. "I'm a political science major and I hope to work in the government so this could interfere with my background check."
Lennox said the ordeal has been "an incredible distraction" for him.
"Knowing what my own professors and professors I might have think about me, how can I expect to be treated fair," he said. "It's really frustrating and it's creating a very hostile learning environment for simply raising legitimate questions."
Lennox said CMU is well aware of the e-mails, and had four months to handle the situation.
He said students should support him, regardless of their political views.
"I don't care whether you like me or not - this behavior should sicken you," Lennox said.
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 114
mike
posted 2/13/08 @ 5:07 AM EST
What sickens me is having to read about this kid again. I am as certain as can be without that degree that he has an issue somewhere that requires him to be the center of attention. (Continued…)
Reggie Muckian
posted 2/13/08 @ 7:42 AM EST
Until the recent events concerning Mr. Lennox, I was considering sending my son to C.M.U. when he graduates high-school, but not anymore. First there was the corruption in the hiring process used to select Gary Peters, then C. (Continued…)
Amert Leffel
posted 2/13/08 @ 7:46 AM EST
Doesn't the school understand they can lose all their federal funding if the Education Dept. sides against them?
Why would they not handle this matter? It happened four months ago. (Continued…)
Ben
posted 2/13/08 @ 7:56 AM EST
What penalties could these professors or CMU, as an institution, face if the complaint results in an unfavorable verdict? I don't know enough about this law, but I will say that the tone of the e-mail exchanges is highly unprofessional to say the least. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:12 AM EST
Lennox needs to stop causing trouble. HIS actions are becoming absurd.
Stephen
Steve
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:19 AM EST
Lennox regularly makes molehills into mountains. This is completely absurd, and he should be punished for wasting the paper's and the people's time.
James Seccombe
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:22 AM EST
"The school shooter allegation is the most absurd," he said. "I'm a political science major and I hope to work in the government so this could interfere with my background check. (Continued…)
Brad Palmer
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:34 AM EST
Good Lord, CMU really managed to drop the ball on this one. Why do they keep allowing faculty to do stupid things? This really hurts the University.
someguyinmichigan
posted 2/13/08 @ 10:17 AM EST
So let me get this straight: Mr. Lennox, the staunch defender of the first ammendment, is upset because other people are talking about him? So when he thinks that someone is stiffling his free speech rights, he runs crying to the ACLU, but when someone else is saying something that HE does not like, he runs crying to the Dept. (Continued…)
Tony T
posted 2/13/08 @ 10:22 AM EST
What sickens me is Lennox is up to his usual tricks. He wants a political career and like Paris Hilton, he thinks any media attention on himself (good or bad) will be helpful to his future career. (Continued…)
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