Professor Arrested for Slamming Student’s Laptop Shut in Class

April 4th, 2011

Really, this is why Profs shouldn’t snoop and get involved with what a student is doing on his or her computer. Well, I think this result is absurd, but interesting nonetheless.

From the Valdosta State University Spectator:

The altercation occurred when Dr. Rybicki allegedly closed a laptop computer on the hands of a student…

Dr. Rybicki closed the laptop because he thought the student was on non-class related websites. The student began to argue with Dr. Rybicki about closing the laptop and about the websites she visited while in class.

From Gawker:

Yes, he closed the laptop of a student who was slacking off in class, and that student pressed assault charges against him, and he was literally arrested, and now he’s suspended, and the police have ordered students in the class “not to talk to anybody about the incident,” and the university is taking it all very seriously. Meanwhile all of the student feedback on the school paper’s website is in support of the teacher.

Wouldn’t it have been better if the Prof engaged the student on his computer, as I suggest, rather than slamming it shut?