2008 Woodie Awards
Lennox filed complaint after CMU took no action
By: Angie Favot
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
Dennis Lennox II said CMU was aware of e-mails sent over the English department listserv on Oct. 25, 2007.
The Topinabee junior said he filed a complaint to the provost via e-mail on Jan. 31 listing several issues, including the e-mails sent by assistant English language and literature professors Jeffrey Weinstock, Allegra Blake and Catherine Hicks Kennard.
Lennox said since CMU never responded to the e-mail complaint, he filed a formal complaint Feb. 11 with the U.S. Department of Education alleging the three faculty violated his rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
"The school did respond indicating they were investigating several other aspects of the complaint, but not looking into the e-mails," he said.
Central Michigan Life sent an e-mail to Provost Julia Wallace on Friday seeking comment on the complaints. Director of Media Relations Steve Smith responded on her behalf.
"As you are well aware, the university is prohibited from discussing issues publicly about its students because of federal laws that protect a student's privacy," Smith said. "While Mr. Lennox chooses to share select information he feels is relevant with the media, CMU recognizes his rights as a student, and it will maintain its standards and policies in treating every student equally."
General Counsel Eileen Jennings was unavailable for comment.
Lennox was not willing to release the e-mail to Wallace detailing the complaints he sent to the provost because it contained confidential information.
"It's a little more sensitive," he said.
Lennox said in a press release and in an interview Feb. 11 that 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.
However, Lennox said Feb. 15 he never filed a criminal complaint with the Michigan State Police.
The Topinabee junior said he filed a complaint to the provost via e-mail on Jan. 31 listing several issues, including the e-mails sent by assistant English language and literature professors Jeffrey Weinstock, Allegra Blake and Catherine Hicks Kennard.
Lennox said since CMU never responded to the e-mail complaint, he filed a formal complaint Feb. 11 with the U.S. Department of Education alleging the three faculty violated his rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
"The school did respond indicating they were investigating several other aspects of the complaint, but not looking into the e-mails," he said.
Central Michigan Life sent an e-mail to Provost Julia Wallace on Friday seeking comment on the complaints. Director of Media Relations Steve Smith responded on her behalf.
"As you are well aware, the university is prohibited from discussing issues publicly about its students because of federal laws that protect a student's privacy," Smith said. "While Mr. Lennox chooses to share select information he feels is relevant with the media, CMU recognizes his rights as a student, and it will maintain its standards and policies in treating every student equally."
General Counsel Eileen Jennings was unavailable for comment.
Lennox was not willing to release the e-mail to Wallace detailing the complaints he sent to the provost because it contained confidential information.
"It's a little more sensitive," he said.
Lennox said in a press release and in an interview Feb. 11 that 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.
However, Lennox said Feb. 15 he never filed a criminal complaint with the Michigan State Police.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Andy
posted 2/20/08 @ 6:53 AM EST
I wonder if Dennis could please tell us which of these complaints that he wanted to file is dealing with a law that is over 80 years old. Could it be this one?
"Malicious annoyance by writing and use of a computer program, computer system or computer network to commit a crime. (Continued…)
someguyinmichigan
posted 2/20/08 @ 10:15 AM EST
LENNOX CAUGHT IN A LIE
So here we have a blatant example of a bald-faced lie from Mr. Lennox:
"Lennox said in a press release and in an interview Feb. (Continued…)
Heidi K
posted 2/20/08 @ 11:27 AM EST
Malicious annoyance is Act 328 of 1931. That's a bit old.
Daniel Abbey
posted 2/20/08 @ 12:38 PM EST
Why are we giving this guy any more attention? He hasn't done what he claimed he has, so just ignore him and stop working him in to every single issue. (Continued…)
dlyordy
CMU Alumna '78
posted 2/20/08 @ 2:03 PM EST
I had the opportunity to meet some CMU students from the Science and Industry Department this past weekend. I asked them what they thought of this lennox (not capitalized to convey total lack of respect for this bull-horn) issue. (Continued…)
Trevor
posted 2/20/08 @ 5:48 PM EST
Honestly I'm kind of tired of reading about Lennox in the CM-Life. I have to think that there are far more newsworthy events taking place that trump the Lennox saga. (Continued…)
Observer
posted 2/20/08 @ 5:53 PM EST
I don't see how this is a lie. The newspaper has not said that and we shouldn't infer it. It sounds like a press release was sent out by someone and later on they realized there were some outstanding legal questions that had to be answered. (Continued…)
Curious reader
posted 2/20/08 @ 6:25 PM EST
What do the other e-mails say?
Nick Smith
posted 2/20/08 @ 9:02 PM EST
What I'd really like to know is how much time that shmuck actually spends in class. Really, what does he really do at CMU anyway other than waste a bunch of time creating worthless controversy and then claiming persecution by a liberal majority? Seems like a monumental waste of time to me, and his act is really getting quite old. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 2/21/08 @ 7:39 PM EST
Why does Dennis Lennox feel the need to try to ruin the impression of his soon to be alma mater??? All he does is try to tear CMU apart, Would he be doing the same thing if he were smart enough to go to MSU or U of M???? First, he antagonizes faculty and staff to the point where there is an alleged assault that he feels the need to post on youtube, then following around a professor in a dark parking lot. (Continued…)
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