Ken Parker’s suspension lifted, still banned from campus

Joslyn Simmons

The suspension has been lifted in the Ken Parker’s case, according to message from the president sent to students and faculty.

Parker is still not permitted to enter campus, though he is allowed to take classes online or off-campus. President Delaney wrote in the message about the risks his presence on campus would create.

“I have reasonably forecasted that this student’s unsupervised presence on campus would pose a risk to his personal safety and would cause a substantial disruption of, and material interference with, the University’s learning environment as well as the rights and safety of other students, staff and faculty,” wrote Delaney.

Parker is charged with several student conduct violations following his disciplinary hearing Monday. His next hearing regarding those violations will be in in about 30 school days and will include a police escort.

He chose not to disclose any information about his charges.

“I think it’s in my best interest to remain silent on everything,” Parker said. “Every time I talk people get offended, so I am just going to remain silent.”

Here is the complete message from President Delaney:

As you know, a panel met yesterday to decide if the immediate suspension of a self-identified white supremacist student who made various social media postings should stand. By University regulation, the panel was composed of 50 percent students and 50 percent faculty/staff. After meeting with the student, the panel deliberated and decided to lift his immediate suspension, which means he will be allowed to continue his classes.

However, in the interest of the safety and welfare of both the student and the entire campus community and based on the totality of circumstances, I have reasonably forecasted that this student’s unsupervised presence on campus would pose a risk to his personal safety and would cause a substantial disruption of, and material interference with, the University’s learning environment as well as the rights and safety of other students, staff and faculty. Thus, he will be prohibited from entering campus, except for his next hearing, for which he will be required to have a police escort.

This is for his own safety as well as the safety of others on campus. Substantial disruptions have been caused to date and there is a reasonable expectation that those disruptions to the learning and living environment would continue and may possibility escalate if he is allowed on campus.

Faculty teaching his classes have agreed to offer accommodations that will allow him to finish the semester either off campus or online. So, while the suspension from classes has been lifted, he won’t be allowed on campus until the next stage of the conduct process.

As of today, the student has now been formally charged with several conduct violations, and we anticipate this formal conduct hearing will be held within approximately 30 school days.

Over the past few weeks, I have heard from hundreds of concerned students, faculty, staff and parents. There’s outrage and there’s fear over racism and the threat of violence.

Please know that I take the safety of everyone in the campus community very seriously.

 

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