[dawn53]

I have a friend who’s kid is in classes at a state U with a similar “personality” type. The guy goes on rants, intimidates other students...and the University does nothing. If a complaint has to be lodged, it has to be lodged by the student he’s intimidating...and the student’s being intimidated (and the profs for that matter) are afraid of retribution by the guy should he “go off the deep end.” In fact the U warns them that if they lodge a complaint this guy will know who filed it.

Sad but true, and the definition of harrassment at this particular state instutition only lists direct contact as harrassment...verbal diatribes cannot be counted.

[dawn53]

oops “whose” instead of who’s...also wanted to add that as far as calling the Feds, weren’t the authorities alerted to the underwear bomber by his dad?

[Malacoda]

I had a student like this in a class a couple of years ago. No matter how many times I complained to Admin, I was told that he was mentally ill, was a protected class, and that his therapist assured us he was "safe."

Other students avoided him to the point that they all sat on one side of the classroom, an he sat alone on the other. He would talk to himself, draw during class and engage in random, nonsensical, non-topical outbursts. Students complained to their advisers, I spoke to endless department heads and Deans....nothing. Finally, he sat in class and threatened to commit suicide and take people with him.

I called security and had him escorted out -- and I still was summoned to a disciplinary meeting because they felt my actions were discriminatory.

I still think this kid will go off one day.

[Logophile]

I have a friend who’s kid is in classes at a state U with a similar “personality” type. The guy goes on rants, intimidates other students...and the University does nothing. If a complaint has to be lodged, it has to be lodged by the student he’s intimidating...and the student’s being intimidated (and the profs for that matter) are afraid of retribution by the guy should he “go off the deep end.” In fact the U warns them that if they lodge a complaint this guy will know who filed it. Sad but true, and the definition of harrassment at this particular state instutition only lists direct contact as harrassment...verbal diatribes cannot be counted.

That is the case at the state university where I teach. Some years ago, a student from Saudi Arabia was angry that he failed two courses, one of them mine. The student said that he wanted me and one of my colleagues killed. The department secretary was alarmed enough that she contacted the university administration.

The response from the upper administration was tepid. They were sure the student did not really mean what he had said; he was just upset. They promised to "do something" if he repeated his threats. That was it.

I went out and purchased a concealable handgun, which I carried with me until that student graduated and returned to Saudi Arabia.