A university official reprimanded Topinabee junior Dennis Lennox II after being found in violation of three sections of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Discipline Procedures.

According to an e-mail sent Tuesday to Lennox by Central Michigan University Conduct Proceedings Officer Thomas Idema, Lennox violated section 3.2.2 providing false information to a university or official, section 3.2.15 not identifying oneself to a university agent when asked and section 3.2.32 distributing printed materials in violation of the Advocacy Policy from an Oct. 23, 2007, incident involving English Language and Literature professor Peter Koper.

"The university hopes in the future you will abide by the CMU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Discipline Procedures," the letter of reprimand said. "More specifically, you will identify yourself correctly to university officials when asked to do so; you will be truthful in the information you provide to university officials; and you will adhere to all university regulations including the University Policies and Procedures Affecting Advocacy Activities."

Lennox said he does not consider this a fair hearing since he had no idea how it went or when it was.

"These are fundamental rights that all citizens have and the right students don't give up when they set foot on campus," Lennox said. "Obviously I'm relieved I wasn't expelled here, but a reprimand isn't acceptable."

The letter of reprimand noted since Lennox did not decide to participate in the scheduled Feb. 27 disciplinary hearing, specifically by refusing to surrender video and audio taping materials, the hearing proceeded as scheduled.

The letter of reprimand outlines the right to appeal.

"The appeal is only timely if received by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities within five days (exclusive of Saturday or Sunday) from the date you receive this letter," the letter said.

Lennox said his legal advisors are drafting an appeal, and has until the close of business Monday to file it.

"I'm willing to pursue any and all action until this matter is resolved," Lennox said. "I'm not going to let this hang out here; it could affect graduate school, law school and scholarships."

The letter of reprimand lists future violations may result in further disciplinary action.

Director of Student Life Anthony Voisin cannot discuss any student hearing took place because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

"I'm not confirming that we're holding anything with anybody, you may be aware of information that has come through different sources, but CMU can't confirm any hearings and can't discuss any action that may be taken against any student," Voisin said.

Lennox said CMU should not have finalized the hearing over spring break because if he were vacationing he would have no chance to form an appeal within the five day period, but Voisin said no hearings have took place during spring break.

Lennox said the hearing was not transparent, not open and dishonest, and argues CMU violated the Open Meetings Act. However, Voisin said student disciplinary hearings are private hearings, so the Open Meetings Act does not apply.

Section eight of the Open Meetings Act states a public body may meet in a closed session to (a) consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named person requests a closed hearing. A person requesting a closed hearing may rescind the request at any time, in which case the matter at issue shall be considered after the rescission only in open sessions.

However section eight (b) states a public body may meet in a closed session to consider the dismissal, suspension, or discipline of a student if the public body is part of the school district, intermediate school district, or institution of higher education that the student is attending, and if the student or the student's parent or guardian requests a closed hearing.

"Student disciplinary hearings are open, and have to comply with notifications unless the student requests otherwise and I have never done that," Lennox said. "If they have nothing to hide why are they holding super duper top secret closed door hearings at a public university?"

Lennox contends all he was doing and has been doing is raising legitimate questions about temporary political science professor and Griffin Endowed Chair Gary Peters.