Psychology professor’s threat case dropped
Charges against a psychology professor who was accused in 2007 of making a terroristic threat were dismissed in June after he completed a mental health program, according to court documents. The university has declined to comment on his status at the university.
Psychology professor Charles Bond was arrested in June 2007 after he was accused of sending threatening e-mails to his co-workers. Bond was found incompetent to stand trial and was referred to a mental health program, according to court documents.
Patrick McLain, Bond’s attorney, wrote in an e-mail last week that Bond’s actions were the result of an adverse reaction to his medication and that his medical condition did not include violent behavior.
“Dr. Bond was not threatening or violent at any time, even when he was under the influence of this medication,” McLain wrote.
Tracy Syler-Jones, associate vice chancellor for marketing and communication, wrote in an e-mail last week that the university cannot discuss Bond’s status with TCU because it is against university policy to discuss personnel matters. McLain said he did not know
Bond is listed in the faculty directory of the 2008-2009 catalog, but is not teaching classes this fall.
Bond could not be reached for comment.
Staff reporter Travis L. Brown
Assault case against former athletes dismissed
Charges were dropped in May against two former basketball players accused of aggravated sexual assault in 2006, according to court documents.
Shannon Monroe Behling and Virgil Allen Taylor had their cases dismissed under prosecutorial discretion, according to court documents. Prosecutorial discretion means the prosecutor agreed to drop charges but could reopen the case if new evidence is found.
Behling, Taylor and former football player Lorenzo Labell Jones were accused of sexually assaulting a freshman woman at Moncrief Hall in October 2006. Charges against Jones were dropped in March.
Tracy Syler-Jones, associate vice chancellor of marketing and communication, wrote in an e-mail last week that Behling and Taylor remain separated from the university.
Staff reporter Travis L. Brown
Advertising/public relations major adopts new name
The advertising/public relations major is now called strategic communication.
In a statement, department chair Julie O’Neil said the name is more reflective of contemporary practice and jargon.
A Bachelor of Science degree in strategic communication requires 124 hours with 40 hours in journalism, according to the 2008-2009 catalog. Majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to enroll in upper level courses.
News editor Julieta Chiquillo
AddRan College gets name update
As of this fall, the AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences will be known as the AddRan College of Liberal Arts.
Michael Butler, associate dean of AddRan, said the name better reflects what the college does in terms of maintaining the liberal arts tradition of the university. The college also changed its logo, mission and vision statements.
Members of the college discussed the changes in a branding exercise following the appointment of Andy Schoolmaster in 2007 as dean of the college, Butler said.
News editor Julieta Chiquillo