Uses the relatively new science of fuzzy logic to review lower court and appellate court decisions from the last four decades regarding free expression in student publications. Finds pronounced effects, showing that fuzzy sets inherently favor administrators, while students show a strikingly high win/loss ratio when courts avoid fuzzy logic. (SR)

In discussing the present state of the law concerning judicial review of student expulsion and discipline cases at private colleges and universities and the quest for a satisfactory legal rationale for achieving fundamental fairness in those cases, the author argues that there are nonconstitutional doctrines of public policy and contract law not…

This document is a guide to the basic sources in the California State University, Fullerton, library that may be utilized in tracing federal laws, regulations, and court decisions. The bibliographic citation, library call number and/or location, and description of contents and/or use are provided for each reference source. Several sample entries…

Principals and other educators fear litigation over defamation. Defamation means an injury to character or reputation by false, malicious statements, whether by printed words (libel) or by spoken words (slander). To constitute defamation, the words must be actionable, defamatory, refer to the plaintiff, and be communicated to others. If the words…

Discusses the history of public education in Louisiana, focusing on such topics as the origins of Louisiana State University and Southern University, the role of Supreme Court decisions, the establishment of a dual system, community responses to student activism at the Southern University at New Orleans, and, integration litigation. (Author/JM)

Two broad messages emerge from the case of The Regents of the University of California vs. Allan Bakke: (1) there is a need for strengthening the "soft" or difficult-to-quantify data used in admissions decisions; and (2) there is a need to implement concepts of educational due process in the admissions procedure. These two exist in some…

Supporters of Black colleges have said that the threat of court-imposed penalities was an invaluable asset in efforts to win state funds and block proposals to close Black colleges. That leverage is gone with a recent ruling by a federal judge. (MLW)

A new bill specifically states that an entire institution is covered by antidiscrimination laws if it receives any federal support. The bill was designed to counteract the effects of a 1984 Supreme Court decision involving Grove City College, and it applies to sex, age, disability, and racial discrimination laws. (MSE)

A federal judge has ruled that the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) program of mandatory, random drug tests of athletes is constitutionally sound and that the NCAA does not act as a state agent. A University of Washington runner involved in the litigation will appeal the decision. (MSE)

Texts of the minority and majority opinions in the case of the National Labor Relations Board v. Yeshiva University are presented, preceded by an analysis of the decision. It is concluded that faculty-administration relations have been damaged, and constructive relations will not easily be restored. (MSE)

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down parts of the Communications Decency Act as violating the First Amendment. The law was predicted to wreak havoc on the Internet and connected campus computer networks. The 1996 law was aimed at protecting children from pornography but threatened the availability of a wide range of materials,…

Traces the history of laws and litigation concerning pay equity issues, also referred to as wage equity and comparable worth. Suggests that universities and colleges identify possible problems and take voluntary corrective measures before pay-equity problems arise. (MLF)

A federal jury has decided that the University of Iowa did not discriminate against three female professors in eliminating their department, but the jury found the university guilty of retaliating when the women spoke out. The case arose over closure of an all-female dental hygiene program. (MSE)

A Supreme Court ruling found that federal programs or policies based on race must meet a legal test of strict scrutiny, requiring the program to demonstrate a compelling government interest and be narrowly tailored. Legal experts suggest that few federal affirmative action programs currently meet the standard. (MSE)

Although religious beliefs of college students opposing abortion may be sincere, they must yield to the institution's need to decide what programs will serve the entire student body's needs. When the Supreme Court rules on a challenge to allocation of mandatory student fees, it will apply principles of religious freedom. (MSE)