Hoosier students freed from school debt in multistate settlement
More than 195,000 students will not have to pay their school debt after a national settlement agreement between Career Education Corporation and 49 states, including Indiana.
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DCS, schools seeking more funds in 2019 legislative session
Among the biggest issues the 2019 General Assembly will have to contend with is the Department of Child Services, which is still reeling after a tumultuous year that saw a leader abruptly resign and a national group identify several shortcomings in the department’s operations. Gov. Eric Holcomb is calling on lawmakers to devote significant financial resources to the struggling department, and all four legislative leaders say their caucuses plan to make DCS a top priority.
Wrongful death suit reinstated in IPS student’s murder
The Indiana Court of Appeals reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit against Indianapolis Public Schools when it found genuine issues of material fact as to Arlington Community High School’s duty to supervise its students after a teen’s murder nearby.
Female Gary principal loses sex discrimination appeal
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to northern Indiana school corporation when it found a female principal was not discriminated against based on her sex when a male candidate got the job she applied for.
Indiana ACLU sues East Allen Schools over LGBTQ club
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana last week aided a group of more than 30 East Allen County high school students when it filed a lawsuit against the school corporation, claiming it had imposed “undue, unequal burdens” an LGBTQ+ organization.
Indiana Supreme Court calls for review of bar exam
Amid slumping passage rates, the Indiana Supreme Court has created a special commission to review the state’s bar exam and make recommendations for changes in format or content, including whether to modify what is considered a passing score.
Valparaiso Law School to write its final chapter in 2020
Despite disappointment over the decision to close the 139-year-old law school, leaders in the Indiana legal profession said they could not have done anything to change the outcome. Selecting students, hiring faculty, developing curriculum and maintaining finances are all internal workings of a law school.
Second gay Roncalli counselor has plans to sue
Not long after Roncalli High School guidance counselor Shelly Fitzgerald was placed on paid administrative leave because of her same-sex marriage, a second Roncalli guidance counselor announced she had filed a discrimination complaint against the school and Archdiocese of Indianapolis and plans to sue because she, too, is in a civil union.
New Notre Dame research effort boosts private law program
Notre Dame Law School students interested in the area of private law now have a chance to further their studies with assistance from a research program introduced last week.
Valparaiso Law’s future still in limbo after transfer falters
The work to move the law school from Valparaiso to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro has stopped, and both schools have indicated they are not going to continue to pursue the transfer, leaving the fate of Valparaiso Law School uncertain.
Judge rules for Butler in suit by ex-student accused of sex assault
A civil lawsuit against Butler University brought by a student who claims he was wrongly expelled after being falsely accused of sexual assault has ended with a judgment in favor of the university and other school personnel involved in the investigation.
Judge: Insurer has no duty to defend false sex assault claim
A federal judge has ruled an insurer does not owe a duty to defend a female student who made a false accusation of sexual assault against a Butler University student who subsequently sued the university and his accuser
COA: Jury trials unavailable for expungements
A Jasper County man who argued the trial court erred in denying his request to expunge a school suspension from his record and in not holding a jury trial has lost both arguments on appeal, with an appellate panel specifically holding that expungement issues are not entitled to a jury trial.
Students accused of sexual misconduct suing colleges, universities
Students have sued at least six Indiana colleges and universities after their schools accused them of sexual misconduct. The suits claim the schools’ investigations were unfair and biased.
Law librarians bristle as written ABA reports no longer required
Usually, when someone’s workload is reduced, that person is happy. But law school librarians are upset that they will no longer be required to submit a written summary each year detailing the activities of their libraries.
Leaner, faster ABA section ready for troubled law schools
The American Bar Association House of Delegates’ adoption of three resolutions is characterized as bringing the “most fundamental changes” to the accreditation process in several decades.
Mental health, diversity may become required CLE
Lawyers soon could be required to earn continuing legal education credits in the areas of diversity and inclusion and mental health and wellness under a proposal the Indiana State Bar Association House of Delegates will consider next month.
Federal court dismisses suit challenging Charter School Act
A First Amendment lawsuit alleging Indiana’s Charter School Acts violates certain religious protections will no longer proceed after a district court judge found the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the Establishment Clause complaint.
Indiana to seek damages over standardized test issues
The Indiana Department of Education is planning to seek damages against a testing vendor for scoring issues and a delay in results for the state’s primary standardized test.
Ball State settles free speech suit with campus pro-life group
Ball State University has agreed to pay more than $12,000 and to revise its student activity fund allocation guidelines as part of a settlement with a pro-life student organization that sued the school earlier this summer for alleged free speech and equal protection violations.