Stockton Downgrades Charges For Student With Trump Background Pic

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Stockton University doctoral student no longer faces suspension for a complaint from a fellow student alleging bias. But Robert Dailyda still faces a disciplinary charge of "disruptive behavior" for the complaint that centers around a personal Facebook post regarding his use of President Donald Trump as a Zoom background picture during class.

Dailyda enlisted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a nonprofit dedicated to protecting rights on student campuses, to help him fight the charges. Stockton University dropped five of its six charges against Dailyda, including discrimination, harassment, hostile environment and harm.

Read more: Stockton Student Faces Suspension Over Trump Pic, Comments

He also won't get punished for using a picture of President Trump as his background during class, according to FIRE. But Dailyda still faces potential sanctions for his Facebook post in response to the incident, according to a letter from FIRE.

Punishment could include a semester of probation, community service and a $50 fine.

Dailyda wrote the following Facebook post:

"I love this country. We are a diverse, yet assimilated population from all backgrounds. I believe all must have the same opportunities and I commit to make that a priority. Beyond that, I am done with the leftist agenda of BLM and the white self haters. I have seen it in action in my doctoral classes at Stockton and the general media. I'm not backing down. If we can't get past this, ok, I'm ready to fight to the death for our county and against those that want to take it down. I believe there are also many like me."

One comment on the post said, "I'm surprised how many people are quiet...maybe not..."

Another unidentified Facebook user responded, "Bob Dailyda that's what we do. (Quiet) but ...we aim with persision (sic). Boom done. No drama." Dailyda didn't respond to this post, FIRE says.

University officials took issue with Dailyda saying he would "fight to the death for our country," according to the letter from FIRE Program Officer Zachary Greenberg.

"(Deputy General Counsel Ellen) Bailey ... asserted that the university interpreted Dailyda's expression on Facebook—that he is willing to 'fight to the death for our country'—as a threat," Greenberg wrote.

FIRE argued that Dailyda's post simply contained a "quintessential political expression" and doesn't constitute a "true threat."

A Stockton spokesperson confirmed Monday that Dailyda is a graduate student and is involved in an internal student Code of Conduct case, but they are prohibited from providing any additional information.

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