Education

Syracuse May Expel Student for Complaining on Facebook About Community Leader’s Controversial Race Comment

It may seem that a different politician tarnishes his career almost every other week thanks to social media, but rarely do you hear about schools punishing students for opinions made on their personal Facebook pages.

Syracuse University‘s School of Education has now effectively expelled a graduate student from its teaching program after he expressed resentment in his Facebook status for a community leader’s complaint that student teachers were coming from Syracuse rather than historically black colleges.

Syracuse May Expel Student for Complaining on Facebook about Race Comment

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) reports:

“On July 20, 2011, Werenczak was student teaching with Danforth Middle School when he was introduced to a member of the city’s Concerned Citizens Action Program (CCAP). Shortly afterward, in the presence of Werenczak and one other white student teacher, the CCAP member, who is black, said that he thought that the city schools should hire more teachers from historically black colleges. Werenczak later discussed the remark on Facebook, saying, ‘Just making sure we’re okay with racism. It‘s not enough I’m … tutoring in the worst school in the city, I suppose I oughta be black or stay in my own side of town.‘ Werenczak further wrote that ’it kind of offends me that I’m basically volunteering the summer at Danforth, getting up at 630, with no AC, to help tutor kids and that’s not enough.’

While Werenczak was summoned to a meeting with administrators shortly before the school year began, he was not charged with any infraction of Syracuse’s rules and never received a disciplinary hearing. On September 7, however, Social Studies Education Coordinator Jeffery A. Mangram sent Werenczak a letterstating that the School of Education (SOE) was effectively expelling Werenczak because he had ‘posted on [his] Facebook page comments the SOE finds unprofessional, offensive, and insensitive not only to the Danforth School but also to the SOE and Syracuse University.’”

For his actions, Werenczak would be expelled, had the option to voluntarily withdraw, or could gain a chance of “ad-admittance” by taking part in a special course of diversity training, attend counseling for “anger management,“ and write a ”a reflective paper that demonstrates the progress and growth you have made in relation to issues regarding cultural diversity as well as your own personal growth.”

To stay in school, Werenczak complied with all three conditions by December 14. However, FIRE reports that on January 3 the School of Education(SOE) had not even yet formed a committee to review the case. On January 4, Werenczak was warned that if he took action to push SOE to act, it would “further delay the process.”

“FIRE wrote Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor on January 10, pointing out that SOE‘s action ’profoundly violates Syracuse’s express promises of freedom of speech.’ Syracuse promises in itsStudent Handbook that ‘[s]tudents have the right to express themselves freely on any subject‘ and that ’Syracuse University … welcomes and encourages the expression of dissent.’ Syracuse has failed to respond, leaving Werenczak’s future in limbo.”

The nonprofit educational foundation notes that this is not the first time Syracuse has punished a student for online speech:

“In the fall of 2010, Syracuse University College of Law student Len Audaer was threatened with expulsion and faced a months-long investigation for his role in a fake-news parody blog about life in law school. In January 2011, FIRE named Syracuse one of the worst universities in the nation for free speech in The Huffington Post. Syracuse dropped all charges against Audaer in February 2011.”

Syracuse responded in January 2011 to the article by FIRE in regards to the fake-news blog parody and the Huffington Post list.

“The content of the website was not as harmless and carefree as some public commentators have suggested,” writes Syracuse University Vice Chancellor Eric F. Spina. “In fact, the blog contained false, mean spirited attacks, by name, against uninvolved, innocent, private individuals. ”

“Syracuse University places a high value on free speech and due process, but also places a high value on the rights of all of its students to study and learn in an environment free from harassment, intimidation and ridicule,” Spina concluded.

Between what happened at the law school last year and Werenczak’s current case, FIRE Vice President of Programs Adam Kissel does not take much stock in the university’s assurances.

“Syracuse’s promises of free speech and due process are rapidly becoming some of the biggest jokes in higher education,” said  Kissel. “I can see why Werenczak might be disturbed about his job prospects after hearing a remark that implicated his race. But it’s impossible to see how any reasonable person in the School of Education could use such a mild, off-campus expression of offense to destroy a student’s career.”

Comments (98)

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  • texasfarmer
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Nothing, absolutely nothing will make a liberal happy. And I dare say the same holds for the NAACP.

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:42pm

      Most liberals would be outraged at the heavy handed response of Syracuse University. The Universities actions are a violation of their stated purpose and a violation of the Student’s right to a fair investigation and hearing into any alledged wrong doings. FIRE is correct in holding the Univeristy accountable for their attempts at censorship.

      Report Post »  
    • TxSon
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:29pm

      encinom, you could not be more wrong. Liberals resoundingly support the suppression of speech to which they disagree. Send any conservative or libertarian speaker to a liberal campus and they can’t get a word in edgewise due to the liberal troublemakers that show up.

      Liberals are only interested in ensuring that Liberal speech is not impaired. Period.

      Report Post » TxSon  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:49pm

      @TxSon

      No, the liberal students are expressng themselves and countering the lies of most of the Conservative speakers. This is different as it is those in authorirty attempting to surpress the individual.

      Report Post »  
    • drattastic
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:06pm

      @TEXSN
      Don’t try and reason with it (encondom) it is pointless, notice how it touts how libs are the protectors of speech then when you shove reality under its muzzle, it immediately paints all conservative speakers as liars. So its whole argument is destroyed and it doesn’t even see the irony.

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • Thomas
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:04am

      It sounds like the NAACP are separatist? They are saying that white people cannot represent black people, they cannot be a juror or a judge when a black is on trial. They saying that white people are completely incapable of being trusted when it comes to dealing with a black person? The NAACP is a racist group. Black racism is not any more acceptable that white racism and its time that it be addressed. These groups must be shunned and made out to be what they are.

      Report Post » Thomas  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:15am

      “Separate but equal.”
      Remember when that was a bad thing until the NAACP and democrats started trying bringing it back? Actually, who started all that stuff in the first place? Oh yeah, DEMOCRATS!
      Remember when being a slave was bad? Then the democrats and NAACP started bringing that back with the welfare system, food stamps, and section 8 housing?

      But why learn history when it’s SO much easier just to repeat it?!

      Report Post » BSdetector  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:26am

      Notice how encinom cannot help but slip in JUSTIFICATION for stomping on the freedom of speech when it comes to conservatives? Makes excuses for it… “No, the liberal students are expressng themselves and countering the lies of most of the Conservative speakers.”

      They are SO accustomed to being able to spew their hatred and vitriol without repercussion and ESPECIALLY withou any rebutting them with truth and logic… so much so, that they cannot help themselves. Oops ! You just defeated your own argument.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • D
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:19am

      Syracuse is quite simply Berkley East. All thoughts and comments then become glaringly clear as to the “Educational” Institutions objectives. Any questions….? Good! CLASS DISMISSED.

      Report Post »  
    • Mark13
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:18pm

      “…or could gain a chance of “ad-admittance” by taking part in a special course of diversity training, attend counseling for “anger management,“ and write a ”a reflective paper that demonstrates the progress and growth you have made in relation to issues regarding cultural diversity…”

      Exactly. This is what liberal fricktards do when you let them run anything. Tell the truth or violate one of their PC taboos and it’s off to the re-education camps. And you know what happens when the “re-education” doesn’t take. Disgusting POS regressives.

      Report Post »  
    • ertdfg
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:06pm

      “No, the liberal students are expressng themselves and countering the lies of most of the Conservative speakers.” – encinom

      Only by silencing all dissent can the truth be told… right? Or is there another reason why conservative voices get silenced (not just disagreed with, silenced) on college campuses so often?

      I guess it’s noble and honorable when you do it; and against the Constitutional and treasonous when people you disagree with do THE EXACT SAME DAMNED THING.

      You must be twice as good as me; I means sure I have standards; but you have two complete sets of standards; double standards if you will… that must make you better.

      Report Post »  
  • stormerwasright
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:27pm

    I have just got to laugh…at myself ! I glance at the headline, then at the FaceBook posts, then right on down to the comments…all the while thinking it was the “member of the city’s Concerned Citizens Action Program“ was the one in hot water because ” ..in the presence of Werenczak and one other white student teacher, the CCAP member, who is black, said that he thought that the city schools should hire more teachers from historically black colleges.”…I am such a moron. Over all, to me the whole fb exchange looked pretty casual and polite…sharing disappointment and exchanging ideas. If Werenczak’s in the wrong, isn’t the CCAP member in the wrong? I mean IF you use the same standard of racial insensitivity. The CCAP member is pro-racial profiling…Werenczak appears to be against it.Trust me on this… when he called it the “Worst school in the city”…that’s what ticked them off folks.

    Report Post » stormerwasright  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:06pm

      Disciplining the CCAP member, not a chance. I guess it’s break even.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:34pm

      Yo Stormer:
      I was thinking pretty much the same … also the diversity training thing he had to take reminded me of the prision camps they send you to in N. Korea to “re-educate” you.

       
    • drattastic
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:18pm

      Well STORM you seem to not understand how things work in the good old US of A these days and something the young brainwashed liberal in the training bra (Werenczak) should have learned the hard way (but who knows, decades of liberal brainwashing is hard to deprogram) White even in conjunction with right = wrong. Black in any situation = right. Now all you PC sissies can call me a racist if you want but we all know its true, we all see it in the work place and on tv everyday. Frankly I don’t give a damn anymore.

      Report Post » drattastic  
  • Rustidad
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:26pm

    Remember this, Chancellor Nancy Cantor is a far left leaning Liberal. Do the research, then do the math!

    Report Post »  
  • stogieguy7
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:08pm

    This is exactly how the government of North Korea reacts to ‘dissent’ – the difference being that the NK soldiers have guns and the liberals at Syracuse University do not. However, they are trying to use what power they have to put this poor guy in a re-education camp (diversity training) and psychological punishment (anger management) despite the fact that his post was neither racist nor angry.

    This sort of thing is happening all the time at universities, government offices and employers every day. Why we’re not out in the streets bearing torches is beyond me. Because it’s vintage communist behavior as far as crushing political dissent is concerned. Call me crazy, but it’s time to face the facts for what they are: many of our institutions have been taken over by genuine Marxists.

    Report Post » stogieguy7  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:01pm

      Pretty soon if you say the name of Jesus… unless you’re cursing, you’ll be called a terrorist and thrown in jail.

      Report Post »  
  • Charles
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Over 90% of the blacks in America are racists

    Report Post »  
  • uisignorant
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:07pm

    Another PC gone a muck victim.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:38pm

      Having a degree from these radical colleges should eleminate you from the job market rather quickly.

      Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:06pm

    I was colorblind, but now I see racism everywhere. What happened? When did minorities become such open racists? What is their reason? Was welfare, hiring preferences, and food stamps not enough? I am beginning to think this is blackmail, er, I mean, historically-under-represented-people-of-color-mail. Sorry, my bad. Guess I am a racist for using the B word.

    And another thing – why would a college campus allow the NAACP on their grounds? There are no “colored people” in America anymore – they fled that label, and I presume they fled the NAACP, too, for having such a racist name.

    Report Post »  
    • maccow
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:33pm

      The NAACP can’t change to the NAA-BP now. It would conjure up images of BP oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico which, since the oil was black, was a not so subtle racially motivated environmental catastrophe. As Chris Matthews told us, we either see the code or chose not to see it.

      (All said with appropriate amount of tongue in cheek)

      Report Post » maccow  
    • normbal
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:16pm

      Four decades of placating the urban American masses for fear they will rape, rob, pillage, burn out the city centers has had the same net effect of dhimmitude for Christians among muslims.

      It hasn’t stopped the slaughter, the rape, robbery, pillaging and demands for MORE, ever more.

      Enough “reparations,” we need separations, separation of state and race.

      Report Post » normbal  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:02pm

    “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

    Evidently, the NAACP “community activist” doesn’t share this dream for Mr. Werenczak ‘s kid. I hope somebody sues Syracuse and this guy for racial discrimination.

    Report Post »  
  • robinakilt
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:59pm

    I am confused what did he say that has the college so upset? Is this his Facebook page or the colleges? Does the college own Facebook? This is part of the problem in our country the education system has no respect for our Constitution and they are the ones that teach our kids. To add insult to injury they rape these kids in what they charge for this indoctrination and can get away with it because they claim nonprofit! Have you seen some of these campuses NON-PROFIT MY ASS!

    Report Post » robinakilt  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

    Be careful, Blaze censors are almost as over the top as Syracuse. It won’t be long before we cannot refer to a color as black (it will be offensive to some), or use the word African (same reason).

    We must pretend that these people who are screaming racism do not exist, otherwise, we are racists.

    Report Post »  
  • pmacres
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

    Nobody cares what Syracuse does anyway. He will do better somewhere else

    Report Post »  
  • NOBAMA201258
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

    SAM Yeah malcolm was all about purity wasn’t he?

    Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:56pm

    being white is a crime.

    Report Post »  
  • DESKOCCUPANT
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:55pm

    But it’s impossible to see how any reasonable person in the School of Education could use such a mild, off-campus expression of offense to destroy a student’s career.”

    That’s the problem right there. Reasonable persons in the School of Education is becoming a rare commodity.

    Report Post » DESKOCCUPANT  
  • Montereyzman
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:54pm

    ******** !!!! i hope he sues their pants off !!!

    i’m against frivolous lawsuits and suing at the drop of a hat, but a lawsuit is needed here.

    Report Post »  
  • kfalcon22000
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:52pm

    It appears that the Nazis have taken over our colleges. Are they burning books as well?

    Report Post »  
  • iamgorilla
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:50pm

    So was he making a case for segregation/isolation?

    Report Post » iamgorilla  
    • ertdfg
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:12pm

      Who? The Community Leader calling for Black Teachers for Black students? Yes, he was.

      But disagreeing with an African-American explicitly calling for segregation in schools is racist… you must support segregation when an African-American proposes it.

      Oh, but you can‘t support segregation in schools if anyone who isn’t white supports it; supporting it in that case is also racist. Actually probably more racist that the first racist.

      So your opinion of this topic must at all times be driven by the race of the speaker making the proposal; with no real thought applied to the issue itself. If you don‘t treat people of different colors in a compete different manner for the same behavior you’re super-ultra-mega-RACIST.

      I‘m pretty sure I’ve got that rule right; I’ve paid attention in the past, and I think I’ve finally cracked the code.

      Report Post »  
  • Liberty Stone
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:48pm

    As a Syracuse University College of Law grad I am sad to see the school be so intolerant to the the marketplace of ideas. This individual has the right to be angry because he is being discriminated against. To not express outrage when one is a victim of reverse racism is the same as an African American not being able to protest in the civil rights movement. People need to be able to speak especially on facebook with thier own friends. I will not give the school another dime until this person is allowed back in school. I am ashamed of Chancellor Nancy Cantor. Political correctness has no place on a university campus. People need life skills of getting thicker skin to tolerate other peoples thoughts. Being able to handle being offended is a good life lesson, it helps you to think and support your own positions. I am offended at the blatant disregard for the first amendment. Please step down Ms. Cantor for being insensitive to freedom of thought, your doctorate should be taken away. You need to be replaced by someone who cares about the marketplace of ideas and knowledge first. I love SU, not its administration. Trustees please take action as no student should be silenced for having an opinion, especially one so tame.

    Report Post »  
  • rationallyurs
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:48pm

    naacp= hoodrats

    Report Post »  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:00pm

      Yet another reason to hate affimative action,besides the POS POTUS

      Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:48pm

    But schools have no problem with statements like “Kill some ******* Babies” or anything Al Sharpton says he always gets invited to speak at schools.

    Resist we much, people, resist we much.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:49pm

      Sorry, i guess you can’t type C R a c k e r.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • pmjr-jones
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:56pm

      i would like to write like a C.E.O. and eat crackers?!

      Report Post »  
    • pmjr-jones
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:57pm

      im smahrtir now!?

      Report Post »  
    • RoqueGerig
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:10pm

      good. previously you could. it has been pointed out to them the double standard. the n word is just as good as the c word. dont call me this and i wont call you that.

      Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:46pm

    When will white people begin to stand up to these fascist tactics of intimidation, racism, corruption and conspiracy by black organizations, aided and abetted by weak, cowardly white school officials? Whatever happened to FREE SPEECH? What ever happened to AMERICA?

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • mils
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:53pm

      what has happened to the student?
      why is there no legal action being brought and making the administration answer for their gross misconduct? Is everyone afraid?????
      He does not need a committee to determine if he was right or wrong…an attorney…a civil rights attorney could help him push the school into deciding that they are definitely wrong!
      Hit their check book and they will be less likely to do this to other studets.

      Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:45pm

    Seriously a filter for the word N3GRO? It was in a quote…a PC filter…interesting.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 7:41pm

      Amazing what the PCPolice can do…just see what happens to your ‘puter if you really cross their line. Been there – done that.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:44pm

    Free to speak so long as it is the party, oops i mean school polic….. um i mean free speech.

    yeah right party politics to the absurd extreme

    Report Post » Stoic one  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:09pm

      When will the sleeping white giant awaken and brush these fleas aside,enough is enough is enough! Affirmative action is just like the “everybody gets a trophy” mentality,unless you are white

      Report Post »  
  • murahu
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:38pm

    The spokesman was clearly presenting racist remarks. The NAACP does stand for the advancement of colored people, but it is also given privileged status by governmental agencies. Unfortunately, the Democrats and liberal Republicans refuse to demand equal opportunity for all, including white males. Instead, they require preferences and privileges for minorities. If one questions this, they call him “racist.” But the NAACP and LaRaza are the racist organizations. Why does Syracuse U. yield to such racists? That is the main question. Why do corporations, government, and other institutions appease the racists of color?

    Report Post »  
  • RichNGadsden
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:30pm

    Freedom Of Speech only applies if you stick to the far left version of it.

    Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • byehlik
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:42pm

      That seems to be the truth about it doesn’t it. I lived in Syracuse, my son, who had a full ride there, spent one year there and had enough, went on to West Point instead. He said of the Syracuse Campus the thought police are everywhere. If your not puking liberal trash, you are blackballed. It is BS that they encourage freedom of speech, that is a lie!

      Report Post » byehlik  
    • RichNGadsden
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:52pm

      BYEHLIK, My son is working on his degree as an electrical engineer here in the south…thankfully. Most of his classes are technical related and there is just no liberal gibberish. But, he does have his complaints about some of the required periphery classes where the instructors/professors can get away with anything. For these he has his head on straight. And, knows not to rock the boat to the point that he fails the course for simply being conservative.

      Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:52pm

      Interesting, my comment was removed ASAP, and all I did was quote Al Sharpton and the New Black Panthers.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • RichNGadsden
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

      DARMOK AND JALAD AT TANAGRA, Yeah, I noticed that. I had just read a couple of minutes ago. I really wonder why too.

      Report Post » RichNGadsden  
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