College administrator threatens student with bad job reference

[doejoh]

What is the name of your state? California

I am a graduate student at a private college in California. Recently a student in my class was suspended in a disciplinary action that much of the class, including me, felt was extraordinarily heavy-handed and possibly racially motivated.

So, I set up a meeting with some other students where we reviewed what had happened and decided to start a petition. The next day, one of the Deans (in charge of disciplinary actions) starts calling students into her office for one-on-one 'talks' and threatens them with suspension, expulsion, loss of their fellowships and bad job references if they pursued any action, ie more meetings, petitions, etc. When it was my turn, I took a witness. She told me that she would be giving future employers a bad or no job reference at all because of my attitude, poor character, and for instigating trouble. The students who received the more serious threats were all minority students. I am white, but perhaps having a witness helped.

My first reaction was to be amazed that a college administrator would actually act that way--it's like the college hung a big "SUE ME" sign on the door. My second reaction, though is to be scared s***less. I graduate in a few months. My resume is out there. She is in a position to ruin my career before it even starts. I've been a good student both academically and in my extracurricular work.

So, I am wondering if anyone has experience dealing with a very vindictive person in a position of power. Do I go offense, defense, or run away? Do I lay low, cross my fingers, and hope she doesn't carry out her threat? Do I find an attorney to send a cease-and-desist letter--or would that be like poking a stick at an angry hippo? Do I start a newsletter and try to get media attention--I still feel terrible for the guy who was suspended.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Since I don't know your college's procedure to handle complaints I'll only address your legal issue.

No one can tell you what you should do, since that is a personal decision. However, legally I would advice that you call all the students who were threatened by this 'administrator' and discuss filing a 1st amendment action against the administrator personally and the school as the employer.

I would also advise contacting the local chapter of the ACLU to discuss this matter. If they feel there are grounds for action, they will take the case for free.

If you decide to go this route and do suffer damages because of it, then I would advise you to seek a private attorney to bring action againt the parties individually.

 

[doejoh]

example outcomes?

Thanks for the quick response BelizeBreeze.

I am not proud of it, but my main goal is to escape grad. school with my degree and (hopefully) a job. I know what happened was not right, but I am not sure that this is a battle I would want to fight.

I am curious to know how other people have handled a very vindictive person such as this and what the outcome was. I imagine analogous situations come up in employment law fairly often--or perhaps even divorce law. (OK maybe people getting divorced can be *a lot* nastier.)

 

[rmet4nzkx]

This does happen in education and unfortunately fighting it can have long reaching implications, even if your are right and even if you win.

My suggestion would be to seek counsel with someone in the administration not directly linked to that school or department about the grievence proceedure at the institution. Try to keep things generic, so that no single student is singled out, hopefully there will be some way for appropriate administrative counseling, remember these people have tenure. Also get different letters of reference, from different administrative personel or professors.

A word of warning. I have seen several similar situations.

The first where the founder of a program brought on line her protegee to become the program director, she was hired with the stipulation that she complete her doctorate by a certain date, a date that was realistic. A number of things occured during her tenure which were quesitonable, there was strong support, but the administration enforced her contract causing a student revolt.

Never the less, there were implications for many of the students whether or not they supported her or not. They did a search and found a new director. To exact revenge the former director refused to sign the diplomas. The new director legally could not sign them, which delayed the graduates in receiving their official transcripts required for licensing. Several months later after filing a law suit against the college she signed the diplomas.

Lesson, be sure to get your signed diploma and official transcripts before taking any lagal action or yours may be forgotten. Without these, even though you finish all your classes, defend your thesis, project or dissertation and walk the line, you may find yourself high and dry. If you go to another school, you will only be able to transfer a portion of your credits and if they learn you sued another college, may not get accepted into any program. I have worse stories.