Judge Tosses Lawsuit Over Clark Atlanta University Engineering Department Shutdown
ATLANTA
A judge has thrown out a lawsuit questioning the shutdown of Clark Atlanta University’s engineering department, ruling the historically Black private institution acted within its rights.
A group of engineering faculty and students sued the school in October, alleging its president and board of trustees wrongly closed the department without first seeking wider input.
But Fulton County Judge Alice Bonner said in her order last week that the students “will not face irreparable harm” because Clark Atlanta has agreed to give those currently enrolled time to complete their studies before the department’s scheduled May 2008 closing.
Lebone Moeti, chairman of the engineering department, this week said he was disappointed by the decision. “At this stage, we’re going to have to meet with our attorney to get advice on how to proceed,” he said.
Clark Atlanta officials declined to comment on the ruling. They have argued that the financially troubled school needs to concentrate on other areas of study.
The engineering department began in 1994 and offers students majors in mechanical, chemical, electrical and civil engineering. It is the only such program at a historically Black college in the state, and one of only 14 at Black colleges nationwide.
— Associated Press
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