University’s Policies and Actions Threaten Faculty Due Process and Free Speech Throughout the United States
““Tenure, free speech, due process and academic freedom are under attack. Without judicial intervention, employees and faculty at Florida Atlantic University and other universities around the United States, will continue to be censored, deterred or chilled from sharing unpopular information or opinions for fear that they will be disciplined on a pretext.”-Attorney Louis Leo IV
April 25, 2016, West Palm Beach, Florida – Former Florida Atlantic University (“FAU”) Professor James Tracy, who was fired from his tenured faculty position in January, has filed a civil rights suit against the University, several top school officials, and his faculty union representatives, alleging that the firing violated his First Amendment right to free speech and other constitutional rights, including his right to due process, in addition to the University’s long-standing principles of academic freedom.
Dr. James Tracy, filed the lawsuit Monday in a U.S. federal court in the Southern District of Florida, in Palm Beach County, represented by the Florida Civil Rights Coalition and Medgebow Law.
The suit challenges Florida Atlantic University’s vague and confusing “Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities” policy on constitutional grounds and also alleges that the manner in which Professor Tracy was fired by FAU officials—including the President, University trustees, and several senior administrative officials—alleging they violated Tracy’s constitutional rights to free speech and due process of law, as well as the University’s own principals of academic freedom, and Tracy’s contractual rights.
The suit also names as defendants the United Faculty of Florida (“UFF”) and Florida Education Association (“FEA”), and two faculty union representatives and officials who conspired with and aided the University’s administrators in violating Tracy’s constitutional and contractual rights.
Dr. Tracy, an award-winning American academic with expertise in communications, media and conspiracy studies, was awarded lifetime tenure by Florida Atlantic University in 2008. He holds a Ph.D. in mass communications from The University of Iowa and taught courses at FAU in Communications, including a course entitled “Culture of Conspiracy”.
After a defamatory local and national media attack concerning Tracy’s online postings in early 2013 (e.g. here and here), officials at FAU threatened Tracy with disciplinary action. The University’s Administration withdrew its first threat following intervention by Tracy’s UFF and FEA representatives. However, in late 2015 and early 2016, when school officials at FAU attempted to change the University’s vague and confusing “Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities” policy and to discipline and terminate Tracy’s tenured appointment for questioning it, Tracy’s faculty union betrayed him.
Despite repeated assurances from FAU faculty union representatives and officials at UFF and FEA that a response and grievance would be filed to contest the University’s unconstitutional disciplinary action, his representatives failed to file a grievance or respond to FAU’s Notice of Discipline on Tracy’s behalf, as required, which resulted in Tracy’s automatic termination by Florida Atlantic University on January 6, 2016.
The lawsuit seeks Tracy’s reinstatement and monetary relief, including compensation for economic and reputational damage suffered.
“Both Florida Atlantic University administrators and the University’s faculty union claim they are committed to protecting constitutional rights and principles of academic freedom, but their actions speak loud and clear…” said Louis Leo IV of the Florida Civil Rights Coalition and Medgebow Law.
“Tenure, free speech, due process and academic freedom are under attack. Without judicial intervention, employees and faculty at Florida Atlantic University and other universities around the United States, will continue to be censored, deterred or chilled from sharing unpopular information or opinions for fear that they will be disciplined on a pretext.”
Inquiries may be directed to info@floridacivilrights.org.
Read the entire Tracy v. FAU et al complaint here.
Those who wish to support James Tracy’s fight against Florida Atlantic’s unconstitutional actions can find out more by visiting the James Tracy Legal Defense Fund.
Looks like FAU is backing a crazy man!
Paul Fox-Sandy Hook School Shooter’s Psychiatrist-Arrested for Sexual Abuse of Another Patient
Hartford Courant
Psychiatrist Who Treated Adam Lanza Charged With Sexually Assaulting Patient
By David Moran
April 22, 2016
BROOKFIELD – A former psychiatrist who treated Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza when he was a teenager was arrested this week and charged with sexual assault after police say he carried on a sexual relationship with a former patient.
Brookfield detectives traveled to Paul Fox’s residence in Peaks Island, Maine, to take him into custody Wednesday with the assistance of Homeland Security Agents, police said.
Fox was charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault after police say he carried on “a sexual relationship with an adult patient while he was a practicing psychiatrist in Brookfield.” Police said the relationship occurred between October 2010 and October 2011.
Facing allegations of misconduct, Fox, formerly of Brookfield, surrendered his Connecticut medical license in July 2012. He also gave up his license to practice in New York. Investigators with the Connecticut Department of Public Health had “alleged possible boundary violations between [Fox] and a patient,” according to New York regulatory records. There is no indication that the patient was Lanza.
State police detectives investigating the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School talked with Fox and several other practitioners as they pieced together Lanza’s history of mental health treatments. Detectives contacted Fox in New Zealand, where he was living at the time.
Fox told detectives in a Dec. 17, 2012, telephone interview that he had destroyed any records he had of his treatment of Lanza but recalled last seeing him when Lanza was about 15. He said the teen was “very rigid … resistant to engagement” and recalled that he had “aggression problems,” police reported.
An assessment by the psychologist at Newtown High School refers to an evaluation Fox did of Lanza in September 2005, according to police reports.
Fox was first licensed in Connecticut in 1988, according to health department records.
He posted a $100,000 bond and will appear on the charges at Danbury Superior Court on May 3.
Paul Fox
http://www.psychsearch.net/paul-fox/
___________________________________________________________
Professor James Tracy Of Florida Atlantic University Censured Concerning Sandy Hook Shooting Views
Supposed Father Of Newtown Children Also Plays The Role Of FBI-Easy To See Why The Criminal State Of Connecticut Wishes To Seal All Records And Photos Of Newtown-Tenured Professor James Tracy Of Florida Atlantic University Fired For Teaching ‘Conspiracy Theory’
Sandy Hook dad caught playing FBI agent. Is it any wonder the State of Connecticut wants to seal all pictures and records of the supposed Sandy Hook Shooting? David Wheeler as grieving father, actor and FBI agent. The entire state government has gone over to the dark side.
Grieving father David Wheeler
Actor David Wheeler
David Wheeler of the FBI
___________________________________________________________
The False Flag Review! (To Be Updated Periodically) (Repost)
“Amazon Bans Fetzer’s Hot New Book-Nobody Died AtSandy Hook”
Civil Rights Org Condemned FAU’s Discipline of Prof James Tracy in 2013
Civil Rights Org Condemned FAU’s Discipline of Prof James Tracy in 2013
FIRE Letter to FAU President Mary Jane Saunders
FIRE Letter to FAU President Mary Jane Saunders
Newtown Parents to Tour Universe As Ambassadors of Peace