Posted on 03/26/2013 9:20:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
Florida Atlantic University has issued a formal apology to a student that was facing academic charges after he complained about a professor who ordered the class to write the name “Jesus” and then stomp on the pieces of paper.
Ryan Rotela, a student at FAU, was accused of violating the student code of conduct after he reported his instructor to university administrators. He was removed from the class, ordered not to contact fellow students, and was facing possible suspension or expulsion – pending the outcome of a student hearing.
But after a massive national outcry, the university reversed course Monday afternoon and cleared the devout Mormon student of all accusations.
“There will be no punishment,” said Hiram Sasser, Rotela’s attorney. “They are wiping the record clean for Ryan. They are reinstating him for a plan to complete the course without that professor.”
Sasser, the director of litigation for the Liberty Institute, told Fox News that the university was deeply apologetic.
“The university apologized profusely,” Sasser said. “One of the university officials told us lots of people were offended by the assignment and they were very sorry about that.”
Corey King, the university’s dean of students, told Fox News they could not comment on the specifics of the Rotela incident – but reiterated their remorse for the offensive class assignment.
“First and foremost, we are deeply sorry for any hurt regarding this incident, any insensitivity that may have been seen by the community and the greater community at large,” King said. “We are deeply sorry.”
While King could not speak directly to Rotela’s standing at the university he did say that “upon reflection, the university has decided not to move forward with any disciplinary action against any student regarding this matter.”
The class in question was taught by Deandre Poole, who also happens to be vice chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.
“Have the students write the name JESUS in big letters on a piece of paper,” the lesson reads. “Ask the students to stand up and put the paper on the floor in front of them with the name facing up. Ask the students to think about it for a moment. After a brief period of silence instruct them to step on the paper. Most will hesitate. Ask why they can’t step on the paper. Discuss the importance of symbols in culture.”
King said it was obvious the lesson caused “hurt and pain” within the community and within the university’s population.
“As a result, we feel it’s necessary to no longer offer this assignment or activity,” he said. “We did not anticipate the hurt and pain it would cause in the community.
As for Poole’s future at the university – King said he could not comment on employment matters.
“We embrace academic freedom – but that comes with responsibility and we recognize that the activity at that time was insensitive,” he said.
Sasser said university officials emphasized that Poole is an untenured professor.
“Someone at Florida Atlantic University was able to look at the issues and realize the professor had done a great offense – not only to Ryan – but to many people across the country,” Sasser said.
Rotela told Fox News he was satisfied with the university’s handling of the incident.
“It was good that they apologized and realized what they did was wrong,” he said.
He was also thankful for the outpouring of support from the nations’ Christian community.
“I have two words – thank you,” he said. “If it wasn’t for all the Christians and the open-minded people who decided to call the university – I would be sitting in a room getting punished, getting sanctioned from the school and getting expelled from the university.”
Sasser said the outcome of Rotela’s case should serve as a lesson for other Americans facing religious persecution.
“It just takes one person to stand up against this type of aggressive nonsense,” he told Fox News. “It also takes like-minded people standing together to say we are not going to tolerate this type of religious bigotry.”
“When we all stand together – we win,” Sasser added.
Actually, score one for the CHRISTIAN public interest law firm that represented him.
This dirtbag should be fired immediately and never allowed to teach anywhere again.
This university stepped all over itself in misplaced revenge against a student who voiced concerns over instructor actions that ridiculed his religious beliefs. It stepped all over itself to protect a BLACK instructor, a Black Democrat. It stepped all over itself to punish a student who had the audacity to complain.
This is the Democrat ideology. Racist, Godless tyranny. And, it is the same reason that Obama’s lying, ineptitude and tyranny are being excused all over the Democrat landscape.
So this country is being run by a bunch of pissed off “entitled because they’re black” communists.
What the hell is the matter with us??? They are the minority and if they weren’t they sure wouldn’t be as nice as we conservatives are.
We need more Dr. Ben Carsons.
I have to say, the communists long ago decided to use the blacks and the “racism” issue to tear us apart and they’ve done a dang good job.
“I have two words – thank you,” he said. “If it wasn’t for all the Christians and the open-minded people who decided to call the university – I would be sitting in a room getting punished, getting sanctioned from the school and getting expelled from the university.”
I see no mention of the Mormon church helping him.
Does anyone think he would have gotten a fair hearing if not for the National outcry?
If you do then be prepared for the Easter Bunny this Sunday, he will be around to see you.
Read the paragraph of pure “Gobbledygook” that describes that clown. Its no wonder the heads full of mush come out worse than the way they went in.
Well the teacher would have stomped on it of course since he made up the exercise. So that would not have settled anything. A better action would have been to get the teacher to stomp on the word “mohammad”. The teacher would be happy to stomp on it also but muslims would not find it amusing. They would settle up with the prof. Justice served.
They won’t punish him because they got caught,if this situation flew under the radar you take be sure he would have been punished. The current university system is designed to guide students into proper group think and crush any nonconformists to set an example to the student population.
That’s why the under 30 crowd feels that “gay” marriage is a civil right.
“Bows”? Odd way to put it.
The professor, as a member of the professionally offended class, is offended that anyone other than himself would have the audacity to complain.
“I see no mention of the Mormon church helping him. “
Trying hard to turn this somehow into something against the Mormon Church? He thanked everything who helped them. ,The kid took a stand and God fearing people of many religions supported him. Let it go
We got folks on FR praising him greatly; as if HE was the ONLY one not to have stomped.
If I had been the student, I would have told the “professor” that I chose to stomp on the face of Muhammed (piss be upon him) instead, just to watch him go into contortions.
I think everyone should e-mail the instructor (note, not professor) and tell them about their “stomp Mohammad” picture day.
Enough with the enablers babblings!I want to hear what POOLE has to say!
#2
This instructor should have been fired for this - tenure or no tenure. Our schools are a place of learning alright, learning all the wrong things.
It’s possible to get a PhD in about every screwball course and be addressed as “doctor” these days.
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