Young children often look to their teachers for affection and acceptance, particularly if they are sick or upset. However, many male primary teachers do not feel comfortable with this aspect of their role. Consequently, many men choose not to make physical contact with their students in order to protect themselves from accusations of inappropriate…

Functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) are critical components in the education of students with, or at risk for, emotional disturbance (ED). The purpose of this article is to compare the legal requirements with the professional requirements for FBAs and BIPs. The comparison is first according to the…

Background: Marijuana represents the most widely used illicit drug on college campuses. Repeated use can impair students' academic, emotional, and physical success and can lead to chronic diseases. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate existing literature on the associated effects of marijuana use on U.S. college students' academic…

Most college faculty approach plagiarism as a moral issue: a violation of the rules of the university and a violation of the behavioral standards of the academic world. However, business communication faculty can enhance students' educations by approaching plagiarism as one aspect of a larger business issue: the protection of intellectual…

This was a purposeful, qualitative, historical and document-based research study that investigated the trends and outcomes of the legal issues relating to teacher dismissal for "immorality". The study included 114 cases over a 30-year period spanning from 1977-2007. Federal and state level law cases were researched to determine the ruling of…

The student's constitutional right to dress and groom himself as he pleases and the coach's right to maintain discipline of his team are discussed. (GC)

Contributes to scholarship on defamation, legal interpretation, and social norms by examining 59 state and federal cases decided during the last 150 years involving allegedly false accusations of homosexuality. Finds 15% of the cases resulted in a determination that it was not defamatory to call someone gay, 35% that it was defamatory, and 50%…

A model student code is provided for use by college and university counsel in creating their own written student disciplinary codes. Commentary on each section of the model code offers practical reasons for inclusion and some suggestions on how college counsel might approach certain disciplinary issues. (Author/MSE)

Concerned about President Clinton's "bully pulpit" endorsement of uniforms in public schools, an educator ponders their acceptance by fellow conservatives who allegedly abhor governmental intrusion into citizens' daily lives. Mandatory uniform policies will not dispel gang activity, banish economic distinctions, or create an academically serious…

Protesters at the University of California at Berkeley are calling for the expulsion of a sophomore who failed to report a murder. However, the student's behavior does not violate the university's code of conduct, which is restricted to campus behavior. Some institutions are expanding the geographic reach of their codes to discipline students for…

Exchange of obscene materials on college computer networks is raising free-speech issues and concern about public response. Standards of conduct for computer use by faculty, administrators, and students are under consideration on a number of campuses. Legality of the materials and appropriate use of institutional resources are also issues. (MSE)

This paper addresses the legal tension between a teacher's right to privacy and a school board's right to demand exemplary conduct by teachers in and out of school. The watershed case in the area of a teacher's right to a private life appears to be "Morrison v. Board of Education" (California 1969), which identified factors that a board may…

Removal of tenured college faculty can be a lengthy, expensive, and divisive process sometimes resulting in lawsuits. Institutions are examining what constitutes improper or unethical faculty behavior, appropriate cause for dismissal under tenure, and fair procedures for considering termination. Cases at Rutgers University (New Jersey) and the…

Discussion of legal issues in dental clinical decision making looks at the nature and elements of applicable law, especially malpractice, locus of responsibility, and standards of care. Greater use of formal decision analysis in clinical dentistry and better research on diagnosis and treatment are recommended, particularly in light of increasing…