CORRECTION: The CI filed an Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) request, not a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. FOIA applies only to federal agencies, while APRA governs access to records of Indiana public institutions such as Ball State University.
MUNCIE, Ind. - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana is representing former Ball State University Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Suzanne Swierc in a lawsuit against University President Geoffrey Mearns.
Swierc, who was fired over a leaked, friends-only response regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is suing Mearns in his official and individual capacities.
The lawsuit claims Swierc's firing was "unconstitutional, and she is entitled to declaratory and injunctive relief and her damages."
According to the lawsuit, on September 17, Swierc's supervisor informed her of a required meeting at 4:00 p.m., where she was told she could not bring legal counsel and would likely not be required to speak. The Head of Employee Relations, Melissa Rubrecht, allegedly stated that Swierc could not bring legal counsel, though she could bring a peer for support.
The lawsuit claims Mearns, personally, fired Swierc, solely for the leaked Facebook post.
The CI has emailed President Mearns for comment, and has formally filed a Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) request in-person to the Office of General Counsel.
The APRA request, filed on September 22 at approximately 2:00 p.m., seeks all relevant records regarding Swierc's termination.
The CI launched a dedicated email for Ball State students and staff concerned about expressing themselves: bsuexpressionconcerns@cimuncie.org.
Check for The 8