Posted on 10/11/2007 2:04:21 AM PDT by dbehsman
A Christian church-affiliated university in St. Paul, Minn., has suspended a student after he raised questions about the campus ban on concealed weapons, and is ordering him to have a mental health evaluation before he can resume his education.
The Hamline University case involves student Troy Scheffler, who, after the Virginia Tech massacre where a student shot and killed nearly three dozen others, suggested the killing spree might have been stopped if students had been allowed to carry concealed weapons.
"Questioning administrators on controversial topics isn't going to be a threat even if the conversation involves guns," Robert Shibley, vice president of Foundation for Individual Rights in Education told WND.
Scheffler turned to FIRE for help after his brief exchange of e-mails was followed by an invitation from the university to meet to discuss his concerns, and then a letter notifying him of his suspension before he could even respond to the request for a meeting.
The e-mails, according to the university were "deemed to be threatening and thus an alleged violation of the Hamline University Judicial Code," although Shipley said it was hard to see where school managers perceived a threat.
"That simply isn't manifested in the e-mails," Shibley told WND.
He said Scheffler remains on suspension under orders to undergo a "Mental Health Evaluation," conducted by someone approved by the school. "The University reserves the right to stipulate a specialization or certification," the school letter to Scheffler said. "Based on the evaluation, the University may require you to commit to a treatment plan as a condition for continued enrollment. You will be responsible for any cost incurred by the evaluation and/or treatment."
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
There is much more information at WND website.
Is this story discussed by any reliable sources, or just WND? (Though it does seem like it’s real, at least in part, you never can tell with them how much is mere hyperbole.
One thing I can say, though, after reading the alleged e-mail messages...the university could have booted the student for being so illiterate at the university level! Even FIRE admits that his writings were an “overreaction.”
That being said, it’s extremely scary that a university would so easily go to shutting down dissent and squashing discussion. And the mental health evaluation request is also an interesting reaction...I wonder how much of it is political correctness and how much is CYA (their own reaction to the Virginia Tech incident).
If they boot him for illiteracy, they should fire the employees who approved his admission.
You know, if major lawsuits are the only language these people understand or comprehend.....
Oh? On what basis? Perhaps his applications were all nicely edited.
I didn’t consider that possibility, but even if that was the case, surely he is poorly spoken as well. Was he never interviewed?
The University Administration should undergo mental health evaluations. If they have such a fear of inanimate objects that the mere mention of them scares them to the point of denying someone their right of free speech, they are severely mentally ill.
Smacks of southeast Asia to me.
Story reminds me of the old Soviet Union. Come to think of it, a lot of colleges practice an ideology that is very stalinist.
I see that our re-education camps are already ramping up in anticipation of a Clinton victory at the next Presidential election.
Vou vill attend theropy un like it!
There also has been this growing notion across the country, and particularly in "blue" areas, that if gubmint, or some other entity like a college or university staff, hires a private security force that suddenly everyone gives up their right to self protection. I'm really not sure what part of "shall not be infringed" that these folks don't understand.
I don't have any problem with folks having to apply for CC permits, nor do I have a problem with a background check, so long as it is done in a timely manner. However, suspending this guy for merely voicing his opinion regarding firearms is beyond ridiculous, but unfortunately, it's something that I've come to expect out of academia.....
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> A Christian church-affiliated university in St. Paul, Minn., has suspended a student after he raised questions about the campus ban on concealed weapons, and is ordering him to have a mental health evaluation before he can resume his education.
Based on what happened at VT, the University probably felt it had little choice. Dam’ned if they do, dam’ned if they don’t.
The school DID have a choice, it could act as in a rational adult manner.
While I believe that the 2nd amendment is being violated on school gounds across the nation and that it will lead to more school massacres, I want to see the e-mails.
They could be threatening. Sometimes people get mad in their writing and state things in the wrong manner.
While I too am sick and tired of black privileges, my opposition could be misinterpreted as that which I am protesting against.
Does anyone have the full e-mails as sent?
There are conservatives in Minnesota?
Who knew? LOL
> The school DID have a choice, it could act as in a rational adult manner.
It did. It assessed its risks and took a risk-managed position.
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