Denise Bennett — a name the University of Idaho campus became very familiar with in January after it appeared in a now locally famous Vandal Alert. The situation within the school of Journalism and Mass Media (JAMM) intensified after she was barred from campus and her students rallied around her in support.
Aside from coverage of the student-based groups and livestreams from Bennett’s living room, our continued reporting strives to get to the heart of the issue surrounding grant money. Bennett expressed extreme frustration after discovering over $400 of her grant funds had expired last December, creating a downward spiral of action and reactions within the department.
After Bennett discovered the unspent funds, the spiral began with an email from Bennett to various administrators titled, “A MANIFESTO FROM A PROFESSOR WHO IS BEYOND FURIOUS,” and ended with Bennett’s barring from campus. Although the two incidents might not be directly related, those involved are — making this story an intricate one.
The situation unfolded in a matter of days and many on campus likely forgot her name shortly after. But it is far from resolved.
While the campus as a whole has likely moved on from the situation, Bennett’s absence left a hole within the department, with no resolution in sight.
Bennett is barred from campus until Jan. 30, 2020, according a notice of trespass issued by Moscow Police. Various JAMM professors filled in for her courses for the majority of the spring semester. Her students were scattered across advisers throughout fall advising. Still, her name is listed under classes for fall 2019.
As students and professors continue to feel the daily impacts, Bennett continues to move forward in pursuing legal action against the university.
The situation in its entirety left a number of questions unanswered in its wake.
It is because of these lingering questions The Argonaut continues to report on the issue.
The Vandal Alert issued Jan. 30 with Bennett’s name and cited access to meth and firearms called into question the university’s protocol and practices when issuing Vandal Alerts, as well as the protocol for managing grant money within departments. Between the JAMM department and the university administration, communication was muddled and questions were left unanswered.
Although several months removed, those questions and their respective answers still matter. The Argonaut will continue to cover the story in pursuit of those answers and some form of resolution. Because — as we know — there is always more to the story.
—Editorial Board