Professor suspended over video sues Michigan university

A Michigan professor who was suspended for making a sarcastic video for students that included profanity and criticism of university COVID-19 policies is asking a judge to immediately reinstate him

DETROIT -- A Michigan professor asked a judge Wednesday to immediately reinstate him, two weeks after he was suspended for making a sarcastic video for students that included profanity and criticism of Ferris State University's COVID-19 policies.

Attorneys for Barry Mehler said his First Amendment rights were violated.

“COVID-19 is deadly. But at Ferris State University, freedom of speech and academic freedom are deadlier,” they said in a request to return Mehler to teaching history.

In a 14-minute video at the start of a new term, Mehler, 74, covered a range of topics, including grades, attendance, plagiarism, COVID-19 and the HBO series “Deadwood.”