Georgia Tech president Bud Peterson testifies at a committee meeting called by State Rep. Earl Ehrhart. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
The war between state Rep. Earl Ehrhart and Georgia Tech over how the way the school handles accusations of sexual assault just got kicked up a notch or two.
The Powder Springs Republican, who chairs the House committee in charge of funding Georgia universities, said Tech president Bud Peterson should resign over his school’s sexual complaint process, which he said fails to give accused students due process. Ehrhart also said he tried to send Peterson a message by slashing the school’s request for a $47 million building.
From the Marietta Daily Journal:
“It’s such a great school. But the president and the administration are just clueless when it comes to due process on that campus and protecting all those kids. If I have to talk to another brokenhearted mother about their fine son where any allegation is a conviction and they toss these kids out of school after three and a half years, sometimes just before graduation, it’s just tragic.”
Updated: We caught up with Ehrhart this morning to ask if he believed his faith in Peterson could be restored.
“What I want him to do is go in there and do the right thing. I think he can still survive. I don’t have a personal grievance with Bud Peterson, but I do have a problem with what’s happening on Tech’s campus,” he said. “There’s a total lack of due process.”
The legislator said Peterson needs to “clean house and recognize that people are innocent until proven guilty.”
“We grant that to criminals, why not to students?” he asked.
He added:
“My responsibility is to the taxpayers. I can’t throw good money after bad. And I’m not going to fund these individuals who make these decisions. Taking away a $47 million Taj Mahal (the school had proposed a library expansion) is not going to harm the students.”
It’s the latest escalation in a feud between Ehrhart and Tech. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation earlier this year found that Tech had recently been ordered to re-instate a student who had been unfairly accused of sexual assault.
The school, meanwhile, declined to comment.
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Consider this insurance in case the Republican National Convention veers into delegate fight territory.
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland is seeking to buy 2,000 sets of riot gear, including riot-control suits and collapsible batons, as part of the city’s latest move to spend a $50 million federal security grant for July’s Republican National Convention.
The city this week posted to its contracting website a notice seeking bidders to provide the gear. City documents refer to the “Elite Defender” riot-control suit manufactured by HWI Gear and a 26-inch baton manufactured by Monadnock, plus 2,000 bags to carry them.
The city also wants to buy 310 sets of riot-control gear — long-sleeve jackets, gloves and shin guards — that would be suitable for use by police riding bicycles. (Scroll to the bottom of this post to read the complete specifications for the riot gear.)
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This Twitter fight between state Sen. John Albers, the Roswell Republican who opposed a MARTA expansion bill, and developer Mark Toro, the mastermind behind the Avalon mini-city in Alpharetta, got heated. Quickly.
See for yourself:
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The Democratic field seeking to challenge Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson remains as unsettled as ever. As we reported yesterday, the drought of potential candidates has suddenly turned into a deluge with qualifying set to begin.
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson/AJC file
But the Libertarian Party of Georgia has settled on their man: Allen Buckley.
I am very much looking forward to the upcoming general election. I shall offer the voters a candidate who offers financially sound solutions to our nation’s tremendous problems, including elimination of excess regulation, reasonable reduction to entitlements and a greatly simplified tax system that will produce balanced budgets using basic algebra.
More: Democrats come out of the woodwork in Georgia Senate race
More: Read more about Isakson’s reelection strategy.
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Donald Trump’s state campaign director in Georgia got a new assignment after the billionaire’s sweeping Peach State win.
Brandon Phillips is already in Florida to head the campaign’s north Florida operation ahead of what’s shaping up to be a make-or-break contest for Sen. Marco Rubio in his home state.
More: Inside Donald Trump’s sweeping Georgia primary victory
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is headlining a March 17 fundraiser for Kathy Szeliga, a Maryland Republican running for the U.S. Senate. Her campaign has also signed on former Georgia GOP operative Leslie Shedd, who most recently worked for a Super PAC supporting Carly Fiorina.
President Peterson demonstrated courageous leadership supporting victims, survivors of sexual assault at Georgia Tech. Representative Earl Ehrhart and lawmakers should spend time talking to the victims of rape and domestic violence to better understand the issues. Rallying around cries of false accusation is easy and supports the myth that false accusations are a significant problem. They are not. Campus rape and domestic violence is vastly underreported. Instead of repermanding Georgia Tech, the University System of Georgia and state lawmakers should be following Georgia Tech's lead. Ending sexual assault on campuses and teaching consent law to our future leaders is important.
The lynch mob isn't hanging falsely accused rapists, it is stringing up the victims of sexual assault.
I challenge Representatives and university system leadership to walk across campuses and talk to students. "Do you know anyone who has been sexually assaulted during college?" You don't have to walk far across campus to find victims and survivors. Stop grandstanding. Listen to those who are afraid to speak up. Talk to your wives, daughters, sisters and mothers, to gays, lesbians, transgender and men. Sexual assault isn't a new problem. Stop the victim blaming. Sexual assault is a crime of consent. Shame hides. Use your power to give voice to the voiceless.
Congratulations to Georgia Tech and President Peterson. Georgia Tech is a leading institution and the stand against violence is what we should expect from a leading institution. Representative Ehrhart is leading a charge in the wrong direction. Speak up as loudly about the crime as you do about false accusation threat and maybe your time in office will have a legacy.
@DoctorGentry Before clicking your link I thought @SeannSA was leading a resignation call. My understanding is now much better. :)
@MirandaTPerry @DoctorGentry I'm big in Georgia politics
@SeannSA @DoctorGentry Please, let's be real, you're kinda a big deal everywhere. #Sean2020 reactiongifs.com/r/confidence.g…
@SeannSA @DoctorGentry Please, let's be real, you're kinda a big deal everywhere. #Sean2020 preview.tinyurl.com/n85m2n9
@SeannSA @DoctorGentry Let's be honest, you're kind of a big deal everywhere. #Seann2020 reactiongifs.com/r/confidence.g…
So the legislator is pro rapist?
Mr. Peterson is playing hardball. Even if the commenters here can't recognize the move, I'm sure Mr. Erhart did--not doing anything public on the due process front, but letting the legislature take a political hit for "hurting the students" . Mr. Peterson needs to go, and if Mr. Irwin of the GTAA wishes to provide covering fire, he needs to go also.
Tech has decided it is a power unto itself, best able to execute its "vision", with the only approval or counsel needed being its own. It needs to be brought to heel, and it needs to be brought to heel now. It is so close to daring the Legislature to do its worst that this act alone indicates that there needs to be a thorough cleansing on the Hill, and in the Flag Building.
Georgia Tech is the property of the people of the state of Georgia, the Legislature are their representatives, they have the power of the purse, Tech has said "so what", and since the people and legislature are the ones who have allowed Tech to thrive into its present state, I think their continued guardianship is warranted, which is nice, since they own it anyway. Bud Peterson needs to take a hike, and needs to take along a lot of people with him when he finally sets out.
Sexual violence is a problem across all college campuses and is often poorly handled. GT is no exception. However, state legislatures need to stay out of academic policy making. GT's leadership and faculty are extraordinary and one of the few institutions that our state can boast about. The same can not be said of GA legislatures.
@Bryan Williams There was NOTHING about sexual violence Moron!! Learn to read.
@Bryan Williams This is not "academic policy," This is an egregious assault on the fundamental right to due process. This has also never been about sexual assault. It is about the right of any "accused" person to receive a fair and complete hearing of all evidence by an impartial body. At Tech, the SOLE investigator, judge and jury was Peter Paquette of the "Office of Student Integrity." Whatever Peter says...goes. No evidence? No matter. Peter says you're guilty. Assuring that this grotesque miscarriage of justice is NOT funded by the taxpayers of the state is entirely the responsibility of the Georgia legislature. Perhaps a refresher in state governance is in order, huh Bryan Williams?
@kangachick @Bryan Williams I have some concerns about Tech's legal counsel as well...some bad decisions have been made and either they are not being consulted (doubtful) or they've made some questionable recommendations...
that did happen it happen before same house and they have another one too just now being reported
I have a daughter at Tech. She is very familiar with the so called racist incident and she calls BS on the accuser. She's seen the videos and knows the frat house. Kind of hard to shout through an open window that has been painted shut for years. She also is familiar with Bud Peterson through her activities and says he is a good guy. Having said that, she also says due process needs work.
Listening to what she says and reading what I can on the issues, I think the solutions do not include getting rid of President Peterson and they dang sure don't include withholding funds from a library expansion at the premier research institution in the state! Talk about hurting the people that need the help the most. The library facilities are critical to the students at Tech. All you have to do is talk to the students to know this. Rep Ehrhart may be well intentioned but is way of the mark and seemingly overstepping his authority just because he can.
@1Fred By "of the mark' I assume you mean "off the mark?" And by "overstepping his authority" I assume you are implying that you have some knowledge about the parameters of the authority of the House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee? Sadly, you are mistaken. It is entirely within the authority of our elected officials to ensure that Georgia taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. These dollars are not guaranteed nor is any institution automatically "entitled" to them. Universities that receive state funds have a solemn obligation to protect the rights of all students. The routine denial of due process to young men and women at Georgia Tech is an egregious offense. The manner in which Bud Peterson and Peter Paquette of the "Office of Student Integrity" thumbed their noses at this most basic American right is shocking. My son is a student at Georgia Tech. We love the school. We are dismayed and appalled at this president's refusal to respect the recommendations of the Board of Regents and the Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee. Bud needs to apologize and clean house - or go. It's as simple as that.
I more I read these comments the more I believe that being a conservative should be a felony.
I notice that the AJC censorship police are hard at work. Comments that are 180 degrees out of touch with their partisan political leanings are deleted. Looking at all of the responses to dlysgranny's post below.....oh wait they've been...3...2...1
I'm a die-hard UGA guy but this is one time I will stand up for the TECH guy! I'm sick and tired of POLITICIANS throwing their weight around. This is why most people support Trump, even with all his faults, in the POTUS election! He's a better choice, instead of one of those smooth, sleazy talking career politicians who are running for office! All politicians, on both sides, stink as far as I'm concerned!
I didn't realize that the AJC covered any news about Tech other than a football game that occurred in November. But then, that's still news to them.
The problem of due process on college campuses is not limited to Georgia Tech. It is a problem at almost every college and university in the US. Believe it or not, Georgia Tech's policy was actually modeled on policies at other prominent universities in this state. In reality, these issues should be handled through the real court system not university professors..
@JM64 Oh, come on now, the academicians are so much more intelligent than the commoners that they would be offended if such ever occurred. They know what's best for society, as a whole.
So Earhardt is pro rape. Good to know.
@cc423 I realize that the article was more than two sentences, but could you at least TRY to read it first?
@cc423 There was no rape. There were no racial slurs shouted from the window. That's the point. Your lack of knowledge of the facts is rivaled only by your poor spelling.
and anti-books too... classic u(sic)ga alumn.
So a graduate from the university of Georgia is wanting to cut funding to Georgia Tech -- no conflict of interest there.
I'm thankful Earl Ehrhartd isn't sitting across from another woman crying about rape on campus. Thank goodness at least one school is taking this seriously. Is there an issue with due process? Perhaps and in which case, get a legal opinion. But difficult enough to come forward, especially in the face of a system skewered toward the perpetrator. .
Go, Yellow Jackets, we are proud of you.
@Ananke Based on Rep. Ehrhart's 30 years in the Georgia legislature, there is absolutely nothing in his record to suggest he is soft on those who commit crimes. On the contrary, he is a champion for victims and a supporter of swift justice for those proven guilty. Your ignorance of the facts is your downfall. Ananke, and I am embarrassed for you. Nonetheless, I am hopeful that you are never falsely accused of a crime and forced to appear before a rogue administrator like Peter Paquette at Georgia Tech. If you ever are, be assured you will receive (1) no fair hearing, (2) no admission of your evidence or witnesses, and (3) no counsel. Who will be "crying out" then, Ananke?
WE the people call for the ouster of all teabagthuglicans/repugthuglicans in the Legislature. All are greedy, lying, racist, bigots, who care about on the wealthy.
@dylsgranny You sounds like a reasonable old fart.
@dylsgranny ...and the demo-rats are the people's solution to all of the bad decisions they've made for themselves and the associated consequences that have arisen from their bad decisions.
BTW...your check is in the mail.
The Legislature thinks that college women routinely falsely accuse college men of rape. But, at the same time the Legislature says it wants guns on campus so that woman can shoot men who try to rape them. If campus carry passes and a woman shoots an alleged rapist, will she be a hero that protected herself or a liar who shot an innocent man?
@FredJohnsson Read the linked article. It was actually a male on male accusation.
@jarvis1975 @FredJohnsson The linked article I read talked about 12 cases over a five year period. One was male on male. One was male on female. And the other 10 were not described.
@FredJohnsson The legislature does not think that "college women routinely falsely accuse college men of rape." I'm curious. Has it never occurred to you that your all-inclusive statements diminish the intelligence of your argument? The following statement would be more accurate: "The legislature believes that it is possible that a college women could falsely accuse a college man of rape." See how easy that was, @FredJohnsson? And since the latter statement is actually the true statement, you now hopefully understand why due process for all students on college campuses is so essential.
Get rid of him and replace him with someone that will support Football and Students from Georgia.. GT is the 37th ranked Public University. Hardly the Glorious University the Engineering Grads tout.Now UGA is turning out Engineers too as well as practically every Major Univ in the South.. It is Georgia Tech and Georgia Students are barely 50%. What is wrong with this picture?
@Obazo Not Tech is the 7th ranked public university in the country. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public Not to turn this into a GA-Tech thing but UGA is 21st. The reality is that Tech has become an academic powerhouse by recruiting the best students from around the world -- some are state residents and many are not....but all are contributing to its growing reputation.
@Obazo Not ' Turning out' uga engineers.....bwahahahaha
@Obazo Not What has football got to do with anything?
Georgia students represent 85% of entering freshmen - and then huge numbers of them flunk out. Tech is a very, very hard school, and sadly Georgia has been eating away at K-12 budgets with the result that in-state kids just can't compete. Let's take every penny away from football and re-invest it in actual education.The student's dad must be a major contributor to Rep Ehrhart campaign, since he doesn't feel that the kid should be put of school if a victim has com forth and stated he raped her and their is evidence. Withholding education spending; and call for the President to resign; because, you have a personal interest in this kid, isn't being professional. They should allow the school to handle the allegation and due what is necessary.
@tinala You said there is evidence?!! Really? You found some?! Good God, where? You must know something no one else does....not the student....not the accuser...not the sham Office of Student Integrity....not Bud Peterson...not even the Appropriations subcommittee on Higher Education that conducted the hearing. You FOUND EVIDENCE? Call the police immediately @tinala. Then please register for a spelling and grammar class.
@tinala You're always on the wrong side of every issue, aren't you? Is it intentional, or are you just stupid? Due process is a good thing.
@someonesdad @tinala Let's see here..."com forth", "their is evidence", "due what is necessary"...from the woman who claims to have advanced degrees, and continuously denigrates everyone else as "stupid".
I don't care how many degrees you have....when you can't spell, punctuate, or use the proper word in a sentence, those "degrees" aren't worth the paper they're (not their) printed on.
Have you not made it back to NEW YORK yet?!?!
@someonesdad @tinala STFU and I have a right to my opinion just as you do on this comment board. You aren't my boss or my professor. I'm working and reading these articles and it doesn't matter what you say or think. I will still receive my paycheck every two-weeks and they pay me; because, I know my job and tell your kind what to do everyday.
@tinala
"Com" forth???
"Their" is evidence???
"Due" what is necessary???
___________________
Damn you're dumb!
OK, now tell us yet again how many degrees you have.
@someonesdad @tinala
Yup--she absolutely is "just stupid"--as she proves time and again with every moronic post.
@tinala @someonesdad
STFU???
Good thing you keep using that acronym. You sure as hell wouldn't know how to spell those massive words in that vulgar phrase.
@tinala @someonesdad
Have you told your boss yet that you spend your days telling lies, displaying your ignorance, and spewing vulgarities on AJC blogs?
@kangachick @tinala
She doesn't need spelling and grammar since, you know, she has all those degrees.
Does anyone else find it insulting that he calls it a "Taj Mahal"? Georgia Tech is a internationally diverse college with a strong minority population from India - I am not sure what his intention was, but regardless I found it very disrespectful to the hundreds of Indians who attend the school.
@xrayccr Nope, you're the only one that finds that insulting. It's not.
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