http://www.ougrizzlies.com/menssports/Track/TrackBios/Zatkoff.htmOn the campus of Oakland University, here in Oakland County, Michigan, Justin Zatkoff has developed quite a reputation. Last fall the University threatened to disclipline him for videotaping liberal protestors and posting clips of that video, edited to music and images of the destruction of fetuses, to the internet. When Oakland U realized it couldn't legally discipline him for speech, there is no question the offended students and others were not happy.
Recently, Zatkoff earned an appointment to the student legislature due to vacacancies. In Justice-Alito-like hearings, Zatkoff underwent over an hour of questions and statements by others complaining about his abortion video. Nonetheless, he was confirmed. Now an unnamed student (protected by "confidentiality" as an alleged "victim" in the complaint process), has filed a complaint with the legislature against Zatkoff for "verbal assault." Essentially, the student congress could impeach and remove him from office based on these charges.
Although this is not a First Amendment issue since the student congress is separate from the University administration and is a political body operating within its Constitution, this demonstrates the dangerous atmosphere against free speech on campuses today. I anticipate there will be more on this story.
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The Oakland Post, February 22, 2006, A-1, A-2
STUDENT CONGRESS
Committee investigates charges against legislator
By JEFF KRANITZ Senior Reporter
The Oakland University Student Congress Disciplinary Committee is currently investigating three separate charges including an accusation of verbal assault - that have been filed against Legislator Justin Zatkoff.
Zatkoff, a recently appointed Student Congress legislator whose controversial documentary film was the subject of an hour-long debate during his confirmation hearing, said that Montrell Porter, Disciplinary Committee chair, informed him Tuesday afternoon that the charges had been filed and were currently pending.
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