A student who allowed his Web site space for the advertisement of anti-University of Michigan T-shirts could face possible suspension, according to a Student Life policy.
But telecommunication, information studies and media senior Joseph Doss said he has no affiliation and only is the host for a site selling a T-shirt bearing the phrase "Wolverines Pack Fudge."
Doss said he will meet with Student Life Associate Director Rick Shafer on Wednesday and is confident he will not be reprimanded for his involvement in the incident.
In October, before the MSU-U-M football game, a flier was distributed across campus for the T-shirts, which featured explicit drawings of wolverines.
The Alliance of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgender Students and the Residence Halls Association rose in opposition to the sale of the shirts. Both groups called for a public condemnation of the activity from university officials, and RHA issued a formal letter.
Two of the students involved with the creation and distribution of the shirt, biomedical science junior Carmen Peter and economics junior Charlie Peck, came forward and apologized for the problems they caused but said they would have to continue selling the shirt to get out of debt.
Charges were brought against Doss, Peter and Peck and others involved in the creation of the shirts by members of Respecting Individuals on Neutral Ground, a caucus of the alliance.
Neither Peter nor Peck could be reached for comment Monday.
Shafer, who declined comment on this particular incident, said policy violations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Violators of the policy could receive a warning or be required to do community service. And in extreme cases, they could be suspended from the university.
"I value a community where all members of the community are valued," he said.
RING President Erik Green said his group sought action by the university because member felt violated by the shirts. He helped file the complaint with Student Life.
"Above all, we want education," Green said. "There are a lot of bad feelings. We don't want this to happen again."
Doss said he did not help design, distribute or advertise for the shirts. He also said he has not made any money from the shirts, he doesn't own one and was unaware what the Web space would be used for when he allocated it to a friend as a gift.
"I'm frustrated with the whole thing," Doss said. "This violation happens every day with people like Jimmy John's and pizza places. This is taking action against the wrong people."
Ernest Drake, RHA director of racial, ethnic & progressive affairs, said the university might be going after the wrong person.
"I don't know if it's the right person to be pointing the gun at," Drake said. "All he did was host."
