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Rutgers E-Mails Subpoenaed, Anti-Bullying Law Proposed
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 7, 2010
Modified Oct 7, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 7, 2010
Modified Oct 7, 2010
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Last night, a statewide town meeting was held at Rutgers University in memory of student Tyler Clementi, who killed himself by jumping off the George Washington Bridge shortly after his roommate allegedly watched and attempted to share his sexual encounter via webcam. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) proposed legislation that would prohibit bullying and harassment at colleges. Lautenberg said of Clementi, "No one could have heard about this degradation he suffered without feeling pain themselves. This is a major problem, and we’re going to fix it."
Comedian Judy Gold was also present, and she told the crowd, "What happened to him was not just an invasion of privacy. This was just sick... Because being bullied because you’re gay is the last acceptable form of bullying. Because bullies see gay people being thrown out of the military. They see gay people fighting tooth and nail for basic civil human rights.”
In the meantime, Middlesex County prosecutors have subpoenaed emails from Rutgers—specifically ones related to how the university dealt with complaints about roommate Dharun Ravi. According to the Star-Ledger, "Prosecutors asked for the subpoenas after investigators felt some at the state university were not fully cooperating with the investigation into the high-profile suicide... Campus officials denied they are obstructing the Clementi investigation. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — a federal law that protects the privacy of student records — requires the university protect certain student documents, said E.J. Miranda, a Rutgers spokesman."
Ravi faces invasion of privacy charges, which could be upgraded if prosecutors determine whether there was an element of bias. His lawyer said he was glad investigators were taking their time to look into the matter before upgrading charges, "I can only hope that the public will do the same. I am confident that nothing will be learned to justify, warrant or support the filing of any bias criminal complaint.”
Tagged
anti bullying
dharun ravi
frank lautenberg
gay
molly wei
rutgers
suicide
tyler clementi
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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