BREAKING NEWS UPDATE FOR THOSE REFERRED HERE: 9/28/2006
Please click the main blog link or this story for Zarko Research updates on the beating of Zatkoff. The now most-recent update WITH EXCLUSIVE QUOTATIONS FROM ZATKOFF ABOUT THE BEATING, is here.

On the campus of Oakland University, here in Oakland County, Michigan, Justin Zatkoff has developed quite a reputation. Last fall the University threatened to disclipline him for videotaping liberal protestors and posting clips of that video, edited to music and images of the destruction of fetuses, to the internet. When Oakland U realized it couldn't legally discipline him for speech, there is no question the offended students and others were not happy.

Recently, Zatkoff earned an appointment to the student legislature due to vacacancies. In Justice-Alito-like hearings, Zatkoff underwent over an hour of questions and statements by others complaining about his abortion video. Nonetheless, he was confirmed. Now an unnamed student (protected by "confidentiality" as an alleged "victim" in the complaint process), has filed a complaint with the legislature against Zatkoff for "verbal assault." Essentially, the student congress could impeach and remove him from office based on these charges.

Although this is not a First Amendment issue since the student congress is separate from the University administration and is a political body operating within its Constitution, this demonstrates the dangerous atmosphere against free speech on campuses today. I anticipate there will be more on this story.

The Oakland Post, February 22, 2006, A-1, A-2
STUDENT CONGRESS
Committee investigates charges against legislator

By JEFF KRANITZ Senior Reporter
The Oakland University Student Congress Disciplinary Committee is currently investigating three separate charges including an accusation of verbal assault - that have been filed against Legislator Justin Zatkoff.

Zatkoff, a recently appointed Student Congress legislator whose controversial documentary film was the subject of an hour-long debate during his confirmation hearing, said that Montrell Porter, Disciplinary Committee chair, informed him Tuesday afternoon that the charges had been filed and were currently pending.

Porter confirmed late, Tuesday that the charges had been formally filed and that an investigation is taking place.

According to Porter, one of the charges called into question Zatkoff's professional ethics.

Porter said a member of Student Congress claimed to be approached by Zatkoff in a threatening, confrontational manner after the Feb. 13 OUSC meeting.

Porter would not reveal the name of the accuser as the investigation is in progress.

"I had a conversation with this (Student Congress) member after one of our meetings, because she had said that I was very rude during the meeting," Zatkoff said. "I told her if she want [sic] to see how rude someone could be, she should look at herself during my con¬firmation hearing."

"I told her that she should 'tread lightly,' because I don't appreciate people telling me that I’m unethical and I misrepre¬sent the students and that I'm a rude person.”

According to Porter the three charges are:
• Misrepresentation
• Violation of Professional Ethics
• Defamation of character

Zatkoff told The Post that he plans on contesting the legitimacy of the charges.

Porter said a hearing could follow the investigation, where both sides would be allowed to speak before the Disciplinary Committee.

After the hearing, the committee would render a verdict, which in this case could range from a warning to a removal.

A verdict calling for Zatkoff's removal would have to be approved by two-thirds of the legislative, body's vote.