Spring Break
Dept. chair, student charged after sexual assault
Tom Cheredar
Issue date: 7/26/06 Section: News
A counselor for MTSU's "In Flight" aerospace camp was arrested for statutory rape. Paul Craig, chairman of aerospace, was also arrested for failure to report the crime to the university.
MTSU student Norman Lewis Jr. was charged with statutory rape, sexual battery and sexual battery by an authoritative figure after MTSU police investigated allegations of misconduct between him and a female high school student who attended the camp the first week of June, according to police.
Police are currently investigating sexual misconduct allegations against a second counselor, but no arrest has been made, according to Tom Tozer, director of news and public affairs for the university.
Lewis withdrew from all summer term courses, but is currently still enrolled for the fall semester, according to a Daily News Journal report.
The week-long "In Flight" camp is an aerospace camp offered to African-American high school juniors and seniors who are interested in piloting airplanes. It is run by the university's aerospace department.
Craig was charged with a misdemeanor for failure to report a crime, but will not be terminated, according to administration officials.
"We investigated the allegations and issued a letter of reprimand to Dr. Craig," said Kaylene A. Gebert, Executive Vice President and Provost.
The reprimand will mean no raises or bonuses for Craig for a year. He is also required to attend a seminar related to reporting harassment, said Gebert.
"University Employees have a responsibility to report allegations about misconduct so that they can be investigated," she said.
Craig declined to be interviewed, but provided a written statement:
"With sincere respect for the young lady and her family, I have great empathy for their situation. On the advice of counsel, I am sure your readers will understand that I cannot comment until this has all been resolved."
Sidelines will continue to follow this story when publication resumes in the fall 2006 semester.
MTSU student Norman Lewis Jr. was charged with statutory rape, sexual battery and sexual battery by an authoritative figure after MTSU police investigated allegations of misconduct between him and a female high school student who attended the camp the first week of June, according to police.
Police are currently investigating sexual misconduct allegations against a second counselor, but no arrest has been made, according to Tom Tozer, director of news and public affairs for the university.
Lewis withdrew from all summer term courses, but is currently still enrolled for the fall semester, according to a Daily News Journal report.
The week-long "In Flight" camp is an aerospace camp offered to African-American high school juniors and seniors who are interested in piloting airplanes. It is run by the university's aerospace department.
Craig was charged with a misdemeanor for failure to report a crime, but will not be terminated, according to administration officials.
"We investigated the allegations and issued a letter of reprimand to Dr. Craig," said Kaylene A. Gebert, Executive Vice President and Provost.
The reprimand will mean no raises or bonuses for Craig for a year. He is also required to attend a seminar related to reporting harassment, said Gebert.
"University Employees have a responsibility to report allegations about misconduct so that they can be investigated," she said.
Craig declined to be interviewed, but provided a written statement:
"With sincere respect for the young lady and her family, I have great empathy for their situation. On the advice of counsel, I am sure your readers will understand that I cannot comment until this has all been resolved."
Sidelines will continue to follow this story when publication resumes in the fall 2006 semester.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Anonymous
posted 7/26/06 @ 7:56 AM CST
Another cover up by the MTSU administration . . . big surprise!
BillEShears
BillEShears
posted 8/03/06 @ 12:29 PM CST
Should we not wait to see what the facts are before... well- it does sound and appear bad for MTSU et al- There is always two sides to every story.
Post a Comment