General Counsel policy a definitive stance against potential lawsuits
Central Michigan University’s current hard stances against those involved in lawsuits against the university is both welcome and a long time coming.
General Counsel Manuel Rupe, the primary figure in all legal proceedings involving CMU, has begun to make it clear that anybody who starts legal proceedings against the university must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
The new rule states, “The university will not engage in a business relationship with any person or entity that is a party to a lawsuit against the university or involved in an alternative dispute resolution process against the university.”
The recent policy sends a strong message, particularly to LaBelle Limited Partnership, whose hotels and businesses will see lucrative business slip away, and Wilcox Professional Services, which is in a legal battle with CMU over a botched renovation project in Brooks Hall.
LaBelle is currently suing the university over an agreement with Lodgco to build an on-campus hotel, which LaBelle claims breaches previous contracts they have signed with the university.
This new rule is just one of the ways CMU General Counsel has stepped up against lawsuits.
In June, a countersuit was filed against former CMU basketball player Brooke Heike and her attorney for more than $174,000. Heike’s discrimination suit against the university was thrown out, after costing the university over $212 thousand in attorney fees.
These recent moves have proven that Rupe and the university believe themselves to be in the right and they are defending their stances in any way they can. Some people may see these tactics as strong-arming or bullying, but it is their right to defend their policies and their money.
The new policy is simply logical. If somebody is disputing with the university whether or not they are entitled to certain amounts of money, why would you give them more money?
This will help to cut down on frivolous lawsuits and attempted money-grabs from many sources. The majority of the entities that do business with the university would rather have that income than not at all.
Legal proceedings are not a game. They are serious matters, and if anybody is going to enter into a legal battle with a major university, they must be willing to accept the potential repercussions.
Rupe and the university are just making these potential repercussions that much more clear.
