Man Bites Dog
February 8, 2005 | Leave a Comment
KEENE, N.H. — Political bumper stickers and articles posted on a professor’s office door are raising questions about free speech and harassment at Keene State College.
Shane Calchera, a student and military veteran, accused associate history professor David Stowell of harassment, saying the anti-war, anti-Bush administration statements on his office door created a learning environment that is hostile to veterans.
The college cleared Stowell of the charge — a charge he did not learn of until receiving a letter stating he had been exonerated — but the professor said that the investigation itself was an attack on his free-speech rights. He filed a complaint on Feb. 2 with the American Civil Liberties Union.
“I was investigated because of my political views because someone objected to them, and that’s frightening,” Stowell said. “Everyone on campus should be concerned.”
“Regime change begins at home,” “Stop the war,” and “How many Iraqi children did we kill today?” read some of the 15 items on his door.
Keene State officials would not comment on the specifics of the case, but a spokesman said it was college policy to investigate the merits of any formal charge.
Calchera said he didn’t realize he had filed a formal complaint. He said he simply wanted his concern addressed: that state property was being used to create what he felt was an environment hostile to military veterans.
The school’s harassment policy defines “veterans status” as a protected group.
He said he wouldn’t have a problem with the postings if they were on Stowell’s own property, but he objects to them being in a place he is forced to go as a student — a professor’s office door.
Under college policy, Stowell should have been given a copy of the complaint letters Calchera wrote, but Stowell said he never got them.
College spokesman Michael Matros said college officials are supposed to send a letter to the accused when harassment charges are filed, then have a conversation with the person face-to-face, by phone or e-mail, as part of the investigation.
“I was never contacted in any way, shape or form,” Stowell said.
He found out about the charge on Feb. 2 through a letter dated Jan. 11, when he checked his mailbox after several weeks away. The college had been on break.
Calchera said he took a picture of Stowell’s office door late last year, planning to show it to various veterans groups and cite it as evidence that Stowell violated the college’s harassment policy.
Calchera said the two talked, and he later tacked a notice about the policy on Stowell’s door.
Then Stowell filed a harassment claim, which was later dismissed, though Calchera was ordered not to contact Stowell again, Calchera and Stowell said.
Both men said their complaints were not with each other but with the college.
Each is considering legal action against the institution, concerned about the effect the harassment decision will have on the school environment.
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