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Suspended Ferris State professor threatens to sue if he's not reinstated

Barry Mehler
Posted at 10:26 PM, Jan 18, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-18 22:26:41-05

DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan professor who was suspended after making a provocative video for his students is threatening to file a lawsuit if Ferris State University doesn’t lift the sanction.

An attorney for Barry Mehler warned the school in a letter Tuesday. Matthew Hoffer says the history teacher is protected by the First Amendment and a contract between Ferris State and its faculty.

Mehler’s 14-minute video at the start of a new term was peppered with profanities and unusual remarks about grades, plagiarism and classroom attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ferris State President David Eisler says he was “shocked and appalled.” Mehler has been placed on leave.