ISU faculty board backs suspended professor

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) -- An Idaho State University Faculty Appeals Board has determined there is not enough evidence to terminate an engineering professor who was suspended in August for what university administrators say is unprofessional and insubordinate behavior.

The board voted 4-1 to back Habib Sadid, noting in its report irregularities in annual evaluations and the absence of periodic performance reviews required by the State Board of Education.

Sadid is contesting the suspension, contending it resulted from his history of speaking his mind about problems at the school. Idaho State officials say free speech rights did not allow him to make slanderous statements.

The board on Friday sent a letter to ISU President Arthur Vailas, who has the final say on whether Sadid remains employed at the university.

Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com

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