Lennox files formal complaint against faculty
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 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
