Heads up, people.

Late Last month, Project Veritas released undercover footage from an investigation into the student org registration process at Barry University. A Barry student and PV plant named Laura secretly recorded several Barry staff members as they gave her advice on how to create a student group sympathetic to the Islamic State.

The reaction to the video was predictable, and Barry fielded considerable bad press because of it.

About a week after the video was released, Laura was suspended.

Project Veritas set out a press release explaining what happened, and why they believe Laura is being punished for her work with PV:

The vague language used by Barry University in issuing the suspension, coupled with the timing, suggest that Barry does not have an actionable claim against Laura. Rather, it appears that they object to the negative publicity the school has received due to the statements of their administrative and academic staff. The charges levied against Laura in her suspension notice were far from explicit and ambiguously read “your alleged actions were the cause root [sic] of disruption of the University community and the creation of a hostile environment for members of the University staff.” Perplexingly, Laura received an award for being the most outstanding senior in the Communications Department after the release of the video. “It is difficult to comprehend how Barry University simultaneously deems Laura as an honor student and a disruption; with each resulting in a formal University action: an official University honor and an interim suspension,” says Founder and President of Project Veritas James O’Keefe.

As of right now, we don’t have any other information about Laura’s suspension. No hearing date has been set, and no specific allegations have been levied against her. She is banned from campus, which means that she can’t attend her classes.

We at Legal Insurrection have contacted officials at Barry asking for comment, but haven’t received word back yet.

Here’s the video that resulted from the Project Veritas sting at Barry:

Video on YouTube here.

The actual suspension e-mail was forwarded along to us by Project Veritas. Here’s the redacted version:

From: “REDACTED, Laura (Barry Student)” Subject: FW: Interim Suspension Date: April 6, 2015 at 12:07:29 PM EDT ________________________________________

From: Alvarez, Maria L [xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Sent: Monday, April 6, 2015 2:36 PM

To: REDACTED, Laura (Barry Student)

Subject: Interim Suspension April 6, 2015 Ms. Laura REDACTED

ID# REDACTED

Barry University

Miami Shores, FL 33161 Via Electronic Mail Dear Ms. REDACTED: In response to complaints filed by members of the University community on Wednesday, April 3, and received by my office this morning, April 6, 2015, your alleged actions were the cause root of disruption of the University community and the creation of a hostile environment for members of the University staff. Because these alleged actions violate Barry University’s Code of Conduct, effective immediately you are placed on Interim Suspension from Barry University. Please be advised that your Interim Suspension from the University will remain in effect pending resolution of the accusations against you via the University Student Conduct System. Violation(s) will be filed by the Student Conduct Office and you will receive notification of the violations via your student email account. Interim Suspension denotes that, for the term of the suspension, you are not allowed to be on the Barry University campus and are not permitted to attend classes. Any violations of the Interim Suspension terms outlined above will result in additional conduct charges. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at [xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]. Sincerely, Maria L. Alvarez, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

[Barry University Logo]

We’ll keep you updated as information becomes available.



