Memorandum

Macomb Community College

TO: Professor John Bonnell

FROM: William MacQueen, Vice President for Human Resources

SUBJECT : Obscene and vulgar language in classroom

DATE: February 19, 1998

Because of a letter of complaint received by the College's trustees from the
parent of a student, I have become aware of a student paper which was
included in your first-day handouts in at least one of your classes last term.
This paper, titled My Semester Overview, states in part: "Next, the language
that was used during discussions throughout the first four weeks or so of class,
in my opinion, was very inappropriate and distasteful. Never before have I
encountered an English teacher who used the word "fuck" so openly and so
frequently in a classroom discussion. In addition, the use of words such as
"pussy" and "cunt" are simply uncalled for and very offensive to many,
including me. I really feel that language such as this is very degrading to
women." Although I do not know the context in which these words are used, I
am concerned that your use of such language in the classroom will give rise to
a claim of sexual harassment on the theory that this language creates a hostile
learning environment for women. Simple knowledge of your past use of this
language places the College under a legal duty to investigate whether you are
creating a hostile environment.

Accordingly, please meet with me in the conference room in D-300, South
Campus, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26,1998. Dr. Ruth Reed, James
VanEman (the College's General Counsel), and Margaret MacTavish (the
College's Affirmative Action Officer) will be present as well. Since this meeting
may result in disciplinary action, you are entitled to have a MCCFO
representative present at the meeting.

cc: Albert Lorenzo Margaret MacTavish Ruth Reed

James VanEman Hunter Wendt