Posted on 04/19/2006 2:01:59 AM PDT by rhema
Highland Heights, KY -- The Northern Kentucky University professor who encouraged her students to vandalize a pro-life display -- and then led them in trashing it -- has apologized. Dr. Sally Jacobson, a tenured 27-year British literature professor, issued her apology just days after saying she saw nothing wrong what she did. "I deeply regret my impulsive action in dismantling that display," Jacobson said late Tuesday. "It was a mistake of judgment for me to invite my students to participate in that action."
Jacobson told WKRC-TV in a taped interview that she hoped her actions did not damage the reputation of the college.
"I really love NKU and care very much about my students and don't want them to be harmed," she said. "At this point, I really want the university to be able to defuse the firestorm of attention around this."
NKU has suspended Jacobson and she will officially retire at the end of the school year. WKRC reports that other professors have taken over her classes for the remainder of the semester.
Local police are investigating the vandalism, which saw Jacobson and several students destroy a pro-life cross display Northern Right to Life set up in the grass outside the student center. A reported from the student newspaper caught Jacobson and her students destroying the display.
University officials authorized the pro-life display, meant to memorialize the 47 million babies who have died since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
NKU President James Votruba, who issued a statement Monday apologizing on behalf of the school, appreciated Jacobson's apology but said the infringement of free speech and the disregard for the exchange of ideas couldn't be tolerated on a college campus.
"This was a very serious lapse in judgment," he told the television station.
"You don't invite students to participate in breaking the law or inhibiting other's free speech. You just don't do that if you're a faculty member," Votruba said.
He indicated he thinks NKU has "responded appropriately" to the concerns about the vandalism.
Votruba said he and Jacobson will meet soon to discuss the professor's retirement.
Read prior coverage: Professor Who Vandalized Pro-Life Display on Abortion Placed on Leave
Professor Who Vandalized Pro-Life Display Defends Actions
College Professor Leads Students in Vandalizing Pro-Life Display on Abortion
Related web sites: Northern Kentucky University
"Please don't take me to court," she pleaded. "I spent all my money on marijuana." /sarcasm
Either way, this is big cultural news IMO. There was a thread/article here just the other day trying to come up with a list -- downgraded to trying to come up with a single name, and failing -- of leftists who resigned or were fired based on ethical lapses &c. This is one for the record books.
Wow, that's good. I still nick her with a fine; disguise it if you like as having her pay the ridiculous overtime charges for a L.E. "supervisor" for the project.
I'm with you. I think the point has been made well enough. No point in being vindictive about it.
About the time that the Sphinx was new.
She loves the university and cares about her students, but doesn't give a rat's *** about the lives of slaughtered babies.
If she isn't, she missed her calling. :-)
This woman admits to feelings of "violence" when she merely "saw" the display of white crosses, and she expects to be taken seriously as a teacher????
The President of the college should be honored as a hero for not succumbing to the tired old "academic freedom" argument which is used to tolerate the rantings of Radical Leftists on campuses throughout America!
Actually, you just don't do that period, faculty member or otherwise, unless you're a modern liberal brownshirt, whose respect for the 1st Amendment only extends to those things with which you agree.
Miserable, bloated, repugnant skank! I hope they throw the book at her (they shouldn't have any trouble hitting her with it!).
Why England? I haven't seen anything that indicates she's from there. She's been at NKU for 27 years.
bttt
Alternate translation: "Drat those blogs and the Internet. In the old days it used to be so easy to break laws with impunity and anonymity."
Gotta love those liberals: Glandular Ethicists 'R' Us
I AM satisfied that she's gone and shamed.
If someone wants to take her to court that's fine too, but she'd only get probation -- probably her first offence, and then she'd probably be a model probationer. But whatever.
I'm delighted she's gone and hope lots of other lib profs follow and the sooner the better.
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