Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Connecticut

Freedom of speech and a University

A Complex coordinator of my university dorm filed charges of harassment against me because the hall director of that dorm said in an incident report that i called her a ''fat bitch faggot'' and intimidated her by yelling and pointing at her during an argument at my friend's dorm room. However, even after denying the allegations levied against me, a hearing officer found me responsible based solely on her testimony. Can one incident constitute verbal harassmnet? and what if any measures can i take to attain justice against this university which punished me based on one person, the hall director's word? Who can i turn to for help when i suspect that the faculty at this university is and will stick together at any cost? Also, doesn't a charge have to be substantiated before it is sent before a hearing officer?


Asked on 7/08/04, 12:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Loeb Law Office of Stephen R. Loeb

Re: Freedom of speech and a University

In a public university all you are entitled to is a hearing to satisfy due process requirements you are not entitled to a full trial nordoes the hearing have to comport with the rules of evidence, so yes, you can be found in violation of "verbal harrasment" guidelines even with 1 incident, even if unsubstiatntiated, provided the hearign officer had a rationale basis for her conclusion. Arationale basis can be as simple as she believed the testimony.

If you are at a private university you have even less protection in that due process need not be satisfied and a hearing isn't even necessary. Private uinversities are free to establish their own guidelines and procedures without any interference from any Federal, State or local agency.

I'm afraid you are not in a strong position, and there is little you can do about the finding. Certainly there is no one viable to sue. Rather than waste your time seeking justice either make your peace with your circumstances, or transfer.

Should you like to discuss this or any other legal matter, you can call my office to schedule an appointment for a consultation or in the alternative, I can be reached for on-phone low-cost legal consultation at 1-800-275-5336 x0233699.

Read more
Answered on 7/08/04, 9:54 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Civil Rights Law questions and answers in Connecticut