So. FL. Librarian who banned patriotic decals is suspended

NBC 6

SEPTEMBER 26 A university librarian is being suspended without pay for ordering her staff to remove "Proud to be an American" stickers because she thought they might offend foreign students.

The Sept. 17 order triggered a public outcry.

Florida Gulf Coast University Provost Brad Bartel on Tuesday suspended library services director Kathy Hoeth from her $81,000-a-year post for 30 days without pay. The suspension will cost Hoeth $6,200 in lost salary.

"Being politically correct, in this case, was not a just reason for having them remove the stickers," Bartel said in a disciplinary letter sent to Hoeth Tuesday.

Hoeth was not available for comment Tuesday. She was to return to work Oct. 26.

Reports of Hoeth's sticker removal order brought hundreds of calls and e-mails expressing outrage from across the country, even some from Canada and Australia, according to university officials.

FGCU President William C. Merwin called Hoeth's action "reprehensible" and rescinded the sticker removal. On Sept. 19, Hoeth issued a statement of apology, saying she'd shown poor judgment and made a bad decision.

"I'm hoping with this action we can win back the trust of the community more rapidly," Merwin said Tuesday.

The school president said the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, and freedom of expression both were part of the decision to discipline Hoeth.

Still, both officials described the library services director as a top performer.

"This action, were it not for the terrorists bombings and outpouring of patriotic zeal, probably would not have been viewed in quite the same way," said Merwin.

"But its a First Amendment rights issue. This was a mistake."

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001