2008 Woodie Awards
Lennox files formal complaint against faculty
By: Angie Favot
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Dennis Lennox II said he filed a formal complaint Monday with the U.S. Department of Education alleging three Central Michigan University faculty violated his rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Lennox also said he filed a criminal complaint with the Michigan State Police, accusing the faculty members of falsely and maliciously accusing another, malicious annoyance by writing and use of a computer program, computer system or computer network to commit a crime.
Central Michigan Life has obtained copies of the education complaint and e-mails sent by assistant English language and literature professors Jeffrey Weinstock, Allegra Blake and Catherine Hicks Kennard over the English department listserv on Oct. 25, 2007, concerning the Topinabee junior.
Lennox said the departmental listserv includes around 30 people.
"I used to work in mental health, and quite frankly the pattern of behavior we've been witnessing is disturbing and indicates that Mr. Lennox is not only someone with noxious political and social beliefs, but someone who has mental health issues, and someone who seems to be losing control," Blake wrote in the e-mail that began the discussion on Lennox.
Blake claimed in the e-mail she conferred with a neuro-psychologist who recommends not to provoke Lennox, and to not initiate a confrontation of any sort.
"I know we are all furious with Lennox, and despise what he represents - let's face it, a movement that loathes academe and all it stands for," Blake said. "But I do think the above advice is solid and worth considering."
Hicks replied to Blake's e-mail saying, "So you are saying that this kid is dangerous? As in Virginia Tech dangerous? Let's not ignore the warning signs..."
In the Department of Education complaint, Lennox said the e-mails were "leaked" to the political blog outsidelansing.com by an anonymous English professor who was "disgusted by the behavior of these professors."
Lennox also said he filed a criminal complaint with the Michigan State Police, accusing the faculty members of falsely and maliciously accusing another, malicious annoyance by writing and use of a computer program, computer system or computer network to commit a crime.
Central Michigan Life has obtained copies of the education complaint and e-mails sent by assistant English language and literature professors Jeffrey Weinstock, Allegra Blake and Catherine Hicks Kennard over the English department listserv on Oct. 25, 2007, concerning the Topinabee junior.
Lennox said the departmental listserv includes around 30 people.
"I used to work in mental health, and quite frankly the pattern of behavior we've been witnessing is disturbing and indicates that Mr. Lennox is not only someone with noxious political and social beliefs, but someone who has mental health issues, and someone who seems to be losing control," Blake wrote in the e-mail that began the discussion on Lennox.
Blake claimed in the e-mail she conferred with a neuro-psychologist who recommends not to provoke Lennox, and to not initiate a confrontation of any sort.
"I know we are all furious with Lennox, and despise what he represents - let's face it, a movement that loathes academe and all it stands for," Blake said. "But I do think the above advice is solid and worth considering."
Hicks replied to Blake's e-mail saying, "So you are saying that this kid is dangerous? As in Virginia Tech dangerous? Let's not ignore the warning signs..."
In the Department of Education complaint, Lennox said the e-mails were "leaked" to the political blog outsidelansing.com by an anonymous English professor who was "disgusted by the behavior of these professors."
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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