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St. Cloud State University
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Past actions haunt Lewis
By Regina Eckes
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2003
When former student Robbi Hoy started her education at SCSU several years ago, she only wanted to learn about her favorite subject and become a professor of historical archaeology. She did not expect to have her education ruined while being taught the politics behind academia.
Hoy came to SCSU in her early thirties with a thirst for education. She got to know the faculty in the College of Social Sciences very well and became close friends with former professor Laurinda Stryker. Hoy wanted to study Scottish history and knew the class was not part of SCSU curriculum. She said Stryker wanted to help and decided to offer her an independent study opportunity.
But soon after making the offer, Hoy said Stryker began to worry that she would not be around SCSU much longer. Stryker was being investigated by the administration and had been accused of not having anything to do with student life and development. Hoy became upset with the claim, especially since Stryker had already done so much for her education.
"It infuriated me because no other professor at St. Cloud State had offered to do independent study with me and I knew from talking to other students that everyone loved professor Stryker," Hoy told University Chronicle.
Because the accusations did not make sense to her, Hoy decided to ask around and search for the truth behind Stryker's troubles. She found out that Stryker had been speaking out on behalf of Arie Zmora, a Jewish professor that later sued the university for anti-semitism. Hoy said the administration was unhappy with Stryker for drawing attention to Zmora's case and was being punished for it. Hoy knew Stryker was being treated unfairly and wanted to put a stop to it.
During the spring of 2001, Hoy organized a speak-out, where students, faculty and community members could voice their concerns about racism and other discriminatory issues. Though the speak-out was a success, Hoy's academic career was heading downhill.
While organizing the speak-out, Hoy said she was mistreated by the dean of the College of Social Sciences, Richard Lewis. Lewis did not want her involved in Stryker's problems and disliked her bringing awareness to the discriminatory issues in the College.
Hoy said the two argued over the phone several times and one incident brought her to tears while her husband took the phone to argue with Lewis as well. Hoy said she was also a straight "A" student on the dean's list every semester but stopped getting notifications after tensions started running high between the two.
"Every time he saw me he would just stare at me," Hoy said. "It was so uncomfortable to be around him; it was horrible and a terrible situation."
Though she knew Lewis disapproved of her, Hoy was shocked to find that he could and eventually did put a stop to her educational career.
"When my independent study was done and I was waiting for my grade, Lewis informed me that I would be getting an incomplete when I had gotten an 'A'," Hoy said. "He told me if I wanted my grade I would have to take the class over with him. He also informed me it probably would not be wise to go back to the College of Social Sciences because he would not allow me to ever pass or graduate."
Hoy contacted an attorney and though she was able to get her grade, Hoy left school and has not been back since October 2001.
Throughout her dealings with Lewis, Hoy said she had many administrators on her side and even shared her complaints with everyone from Lewis to President Roy Saigo.
Even though Hoy told the administration everything that happened, all they, Saigo included, could tell her was that they had no proof or hard evidence to reprimand Lewis. Hoy even gave testimony that Lewis was anti-Semetic. While waiting by Lewis' office to meet with her advisor, she remembered hearing Lewis use racial slurs and make derogatory comments. Hoy said SCSU knew what was going on but did not want to admit any wrongdoing.
Regarding Lewis' potential lawsuit, Hoy said she though it was a big joke. She said it is hypocritical of Lewis to sue when he had told her two years ago that lawsuits were frivolous and would only cost the students and tax payers money. Hoy believes the administration's current actions to reassign Lewis probably have something to do with her situation years ago.
"Now everything has blown over and most of the people involved have graduated and are gone," Hoy said. "Now is the perfect time to take care of him."
When asked about Lewis, many people declined to comment, including members of the College of Social Sciences who said they are not dealing with the press at this time. But another one of Hoy's close friends is Geoffrey Tabakin, a professor in the College of Education, offered some personal insight. Tabakin was involved in the anti-semitism lawsuit as one of three plaintiffs and was the only one to return to his position due to his tenure. Regarding Lewis' reassignment and Hoy's story, Tabakin said he did not want to be seen as a supporter for either side.
"I have not had much interaction with Dick Lewis but he is a very friendly man and a reasonable man," Tabakin said. "I do not have any reason to disbelieve Robbi's story but I am not advocating for either side. It is very difficult to put clearly."
Tabakin went on to say that Hoy's ruined education is part of a system-wide problem. It is not just about one dean or one student, but an administrative problem that is being placed on Lewis.
Hoy agrees that there must be something else going on in the administration. Because the university supported Lewis despite her claims against him, it cannot go back on its word. She believes even now the university does not want to admit any wrongdoing.
Hoy is patiently waiting for the day when Lewis is gone or at least permanently removed from his position so she can return to SCSU and finish her degree. She said she never wanted anything from the university except to have Lewis reprimanded and have his power taken away. Although it might be a while until Hoy believes she can safely return, she does not regret the course of action she took to help professor Stryker.
"I was not a young eighteen-year-old person that was afraid to stand up for myself," Hoy said. "I have lived life and am the type of person that will stand up for something I believe in and one of the things I believe in is every student has a right to an education."
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I also have had R. lewis as an instructo... (10/28/03)
I had Dick Lewis as a professor for a co... (10/28/03)
The Chronicle has now retracted this art... (11/20/03)
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