Report says tape longer
The recent release of Interim Affirmative Action Coordinator Barbara Taylor's official internal investigation report has given new insight into the incident between Dennis Lennox II and Pam Gates.
The report, which Central Michigan Life obtained late last week, offers details about the time period of the incident, previous requests CMU officials made to Lennox, and gives Gates' official response.
Lennox, a Topinabee junior, served Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, with a Freedom of Information Act request on Oct. 15. In a video that made its way to WNEM news and YouTube.com, Gates is seen striking Lennox's video camera.
While the clip online is only 10 seconds long, an unnamed student witness claimed Lennox videotaped for longer.
"(The student) indicates that (Lennox's) camcorder was taping for approximately one to one and a half minutes," the investigation said.
Lennox claimed the 10 seconds of footage was the only record of the incident on his video camera.
"The video is unedited," Lennox said. "It caught the tail end."
The report said Gates did not hit or strike Lennox at any point in the confrontation.
"At some point (Lennox) invaded (Gates') space by stepping toward her, and she reacted by putting her hand out to push away, and she hit his camera," the report said.
Lennox said it's clear from the video that he remained seated the entire time.
"The only evidence there is the videotape," Lennox said.
He said the tape shows Gates above him, indicating that he was seated until Gates asked him to leave.
Lennox said even though Gates never physically touched him, her actions still constitute assault as the camera was attached to his hand.
The report also said university officials told Lennox he did not legally have to deliver his Freedom of Information Act requests personally back in January.
Steve Smith, director of media relations, said a FOIA request can be submitted in person, via mail, e-mail or even in the form of a verbal request. However, Smith said, the best way to submit a FOIA request is through Bob Martin, associate vice provost of Faculty Personnel Services.
Martin is the university's FOIA coordinator.
"That's where it will ultimately end up anyway," Smith said. "It eliminates extra steps in between."
Lennox also refutes that claim.
"To the best of my memory, I don't recall ever being advised that personal service is not legally necessary," Lennox said. "If I'm requesting Gates' information, it only makes sense that I give it to her."
Lennox said in the past he has delivered FOIA requests via e-mail, but the university also requested time extensions on the requests. He said he thought giving the request to Gates would save time. Lennox said he already was in Anspach Hall, where Gates' office is located.
"It made sense to give it to the people I was requesting information from," he said.
Lennox refused to take part in the investigation after his requests for an independent investigation were denied. He said he asked for an independent investigation because Gates was at one point an affirmative action coordinator.
Lennox said he never received word the investigation was completed. He also said he never received a copy of the investigation.
Smith said the investigation didn't condemn or absolve either party. He said it will be passed on to the proper authorities.
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