Vindicator should know the story behind the story at YSU



Vindicator should know the story behind the story at YSU
EDITOR:
The Vindicator's editorial of Aug. 19, "YSU rewards Campbell, Neil for academic sins," improperly implies that Robert Campbell has been fairly tried and convicted for sexual harassment; however, this is not the case. The charges against Mr. Campbell were spearheaded by William Neil, the same person discussed in the column for having bogus degrees from a non-accredited school. Personal animosity was involved, possibly because Mr. Neil was hired at a higher level (associate professor) and higher salary than normal over the objections of Mr. Campbell. As for the university's alleged investigation, all I can say is, "What investigation?"
I formerly served for 15 years on the faculty's grievance committee, 12 of them as chair, and during that time several alleged cases of harassment of students by faculty have occurred. In none of these cases was the accused properly investigated, and once the accused was never interviewed and never knew that charges were filed against him until he was "convicted," and so informed by his chairman. This is a clear violation of the spirit of the Sixth Amendment, which states that the accused shall be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. There is always the presumption of innocence before guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Returning to the case of Mr. Campbell, one administrator interviewed Mr. Neil and the student and then recommended that Mr. Campbell be fired. Where is the due process guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution? There wasn't any. The editorial states that Mr. Campbell clearly violated the terms of (his) employment and that sexual harassment is a violation of federal law. It also states that Mr. Campbell was "rewarded for [his] misdeeds." This is simply not the case.
As for the alleged $66,926 Mr. Campbell will receive while on sick leave, Ohio law mandates that teachers get 10 days of paid sick leave per year, and this leave can accumulate over time if not used. Thus, this is not something to be negotiated in faculty contracts. The Vindicator should be very careful whom it threatens to "tar and feather!"
RON TABAK
Canfield
X The writer is a professor of physics and astronomy at YSU.
Women need to stand upin the face of mudslinging
EDITOR:
It is disgusting to me how our politicians sneak around wallowing in the mud, and when they get caught they think it an honor to drag their wives in the mud to stand by them. This is an affront to all American women. How dare they belittle us in this manner? No wonder the world thinks we are godless. I don't know of any other nation on this earth where their leaders drag their wives into their dirty messes like trained animals.
I hope that women in the news media and all women of noteworthiness will take up this battle for the reputation of American women. Second, I wish politicians would keep to what is important to the American people and discuss issues, not mud patties! The only difference between the mudslingers and the muddy is the mudslingers have not been caught. Yet.
In my opinion a politician is a person with the personality to make people believe he or she really cares about the little people in this country when all they care about is that the low-income people make enough to pay them and provide them with a good pension -- even though they cannot afford medical insurance for their families or the hope of a higher education for their children.
VIRGINIA WILKERSON
Niles

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