Calvin prez weighs in on Facebook post

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Calvin College student in trouble because of a Facebook.com posting, will learn next week if disciplinary action recommended against him will be changed or enforced.

On Calvin's campus Friday, the student met with the college's president. The student, Tony Harris, told 24 Hour News 8 Friday night the meeting lasted about an hour and that President Gaylen Byker told him to consider it part of the disciplinary appeal process.

In November 2008, a derogatory, sexual comment was posted on Harris' Facebook page. The college believes the comment was about a female student and that Harris wrote it.

Calvin Vice President Shirley Hoogstra wouldn't talk about the Harris case, citing confidentiality, but she told 24 Hour News 8 this week they take action when someone complains.

"If we get a complaint about a posting, or pictures, or a blog where people have said that's harassing to me and then we follow up. We will then say you have violated our responsible use of technology, which is a respect for others' values and feelings, a respect for other people's property or privacy, a stewardly use of that technology."

In an interview with 24 Hour News 8 a week ago, Harris denied he was the author of the sexually degrading comment and claimed someone else had his password and posted it on Facebook.

Harris told us Friday night he asked the college president to subpoena Facebook to find out which computer originated the comment.

In our interview last week, Harris said he contacted Facebook.

"Facebook told me obtain a subpoena or release to have that information released to me.

When asked if he has obtained a subpoena or release, Harris said "at the moment, no."

At Friday's meeting, Harris asked Byker to take away all his punishment.

When 24 Hour News 8 broke this story earlier this week, we revealed Calvin's planned sanctions against Harris -- six months probation, no contact with the female student, move out of his dorm and post a retraction.

Calvin College spokesman Phil DeHaan told 24 Hour News 8 Friday night Byker is taking this issue under advisement and will inform Harris next week of his decision.