Vet Resigns over Anti-Military University Remarks

Maj. Bob Roughsedge, a Hampton man currently , has resigned from his post as adjunct professor at Suffolk Law School after a fellow professor called student-made military care packages "shameful."

Roughsedge, an Army reservist, announced his resignation in an e-mail Monday, citing "disgust" in several inflammatory statements made by professor Michael Avery after Avery received a school-wide e-mail soliciting supplies for military care packages.

"Professor Avery has engaged in hate speech against a class of citizens who ironically do not enjoy the same First Amendment rights," wrote Roughsedge in an e-mail to Suffolk Dean Camille Nelson. "Members serving in the U.S. military cannot speak out on matters of politics or personal opinion if doing so would tarnish the reputation of the military.

"I have a moral obligation to exercise my First Amendment right of freedom of association and choose not to associate with Suffolk University Law School anymore. This is a sad moment for me because I know that the students do not agree with Professor Avery and I truly enjoy teaching. However, I must go else I am tarnished by the association. The only way for the students and alumnae to stop this invasion of radical thought by Professor Avery is to do likewise: transfer from Suffolk, stop donating money and stop supporting this hate speech."

Roughsedge couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Avery received the school-wide e-mail on Nov. 9 and sent a five-paragraph response, stating that kind of "support" from an institution "is not particularly rational" in today's society, according to 96.9 FM's Michael Graham.

"I think it is shameful that it is perceived as legitimate to solicit in an academic institution for support for men and women who have gone overseas to kill other human beings," wrote Avery.

"Why are we sending support to the military instead of Americans who are losing their homes, malnourished, unable to get necessary medical care, and suffering from other consequences of poverty? As a university community, we should debate these questions, not remain on automatic pilot in support of the war agenda."

The university cited Avery's "freedom of expression" and the "free exchange of ideas" in a statement on its website. The university also stated it supports members of the military, and has over its history "embraced" discourse and debates over citizen's rights.

While Roughsedge said he believes "academic freedom" is "essential," he said Avery used no "novel legal theory" or academic "thesis" when expressing "hate speech" and statements that "gloss over the truth."

Roughsedge also said that Avery is protected by first amendment rights, but isn't protected from disciplinary action from Suffolk, which said in its statement that the school is "uncompromising in confronting acts of discrimination."

Roughsedge said he viewed Avery's claim that he is a "killer" as discrimination, and called for action of some kind be taken against "one of the [school's] most influential professors" and a man whom Roughsedge said hasn't offered pro-military views during debates about war and related topics.

"Professor Avery could have simply ignored this email that was completely unrelated to his duties as a professor, but instead he chose to send an email to the entire faculty stating his personal disapproval," wrote Roughsedge. "Taking action against Professor Avery would in no way threaten academic freedom at Suffolk any more than firing a professor who reveals membership in the Klu Klux Klan."

Several staff members at Hampton Academy, a school which Roughsedge's daughter currently attends, said they were outraged about some of the comments made by Avery and said they supported Roughsedge's request for disciplinary action against the man.

"Freedom of speech is absolutely appropriate, but when you're attacking the people providing that freedom — I don't get where he comes off talking about them like that," said Hampton Academy Principal Dave O'Connor.

Suzy Frost, a seventh grade teacher, said as a instructor she has to remain "unbiased" while teaching any topic, and she said she wished that Avery could've done the same and recognized and respected the viewpoints that go against his beliefs.

"Nobody likes war, but you still have to support people serving in the war," she said. "I don't understand. You need to show both sides."

Hampton Academy students held a "Day of Thanks" Tuesday as a part of a school-wide effort to make items for military members and children in Afghanistan, and O'Connor and Frost said these efforts tie into Roughsedge's statements.

O'Connor said the "Day of Thanks" is a good example of how communities support their past and present military members, regardless of political or ethical views about war, and said he hopes this showing in Roughsedge's hometown hits home at Suffolk.

"I hope Roughsedge says, 'Guess what? Look what these students are doing in Hampton,'" he said.

Check back for more information about Roughsedge's resignation, as well as for a story about Hampton Academy's "Day of Thanks."