Chicago State University Lawyers Attack Faculty Bloggers 94
An anonymous reader writes "A blog run by faculty members at Chicago State University (CSU) has been threatened by university lawyers with a cease and desist notice. Since 2009 the blog has posted information critical of CSU's policies and hiring practices. The notice threatened legal action if the site is not disabled by Friday due to violations of 'trade names and marks' without permission and violations of University policies. The blog admin changed the name of the blog in the meanwhile to Crony State University and replaced an image on the page pending legal counsel. Also the blog is currently still active."
Re:Attacked? (Score:2, Informative)
Did they ruin academic careers?
Did they chill discourse on campus?
Did they impoverish bloggers with legal costs?
Your narrow minded notion of the use of the work 'attack' couldn't be more naive.
Re:Great for the bloggers! (Score:5, Informative)
CSU has a VP and General Counsel who doesn't know the difference between "tenet" and "tenant". Says a lot about the administration there.
Re:Terrible blog (Score:5, Informative)
I poked around the blog a bit. It's more than a little creepy. They have people's resumes and pay scales available for all to see. That's just weird. What did the janitors at Olive-Harvey do to deserve having their names and wages published? That's wholly inappropriate, and not necessary to make the author's point.
When you work for the government, your pay is a matter of public record, whether you're a senator or a janitor.
Re:Anti-SLAPP Law? (Score:4, Informative)
Doesn't this fall under some anti-slapp law?
I would think so. "Chicago State University Faculty Blog" is a statement of fact, not a trademark infringement.
Having said that, they may have some logos, etc. they will have to take down.
Re:only in academia (Score:5, Informative)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission
The current version of this commissionâ(TM)s Handbook of Accreditation includes shared governance under the first of its five âoeCriteria for Accreditation,â specifically, under core component 1d, which states that âoethe organizationâ(TM)s governance and administrative structures promote effective leadership and support collaborative processes that enable the organization to fulfill its mission.â The explanatory paragraphs that follow describe shared governance (without defining it) as âoea long-standing attribute of most colleges and universities in the United States,â adding the qualification, âoewhatever the governance and administrative structures, they need to enhance the organizationâ(TM)s capacity to fulfill its mission.â Among the âoeexamples of evidenceâ that might indicate compliance with this core component is this: âoeFaculty and other academic leaders share responsibility for the coherence of the curriculum and the integrity of academic processes.â Under criterion 2a (âoeThe organization realistically prepares for a future shaped by multiple societal and economic trendsâ) explanatory paragraphs describe shared governance as serving âoeas a check and balance to ensure academic integrity.â
While the North Central commissionâ(TM)s handbook does not employ the phrase âoeacademic freedomâ under criterion 4a (âoeThe organization demonstrates, through the actions of its board, administrators, students, faculty, and staff, that it values a life of learningâ), it does include the following âoeexample of evidenceâ relevant to this bedrock concept: âoeThe board has approved and disseminated statements supporting freedom of inquiry for the organizationâ(TM)s students, faculty, and staff, and honors those statements in its practices.â
Re:Anti-SLAPP Law? (Score:4, Informative)