School Sued Over MySpace Photo Response
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — A woman denied a teaching degree on the eve of graduation because of a MySpace photo has sued the university. “I dreamed about being a teacher for a long time,” said Ms. Snyder, 27, who now works as a nanny.
Millersville University instead granted Stacy Snyder a degree in English last year after learning of her Web-published picture, which bore the caption “Drunken Pirate.” The photo, taken at a 2005 Halloween party, shows Ms. Snyder wearing a pirate hat while drinking from a plastic “Mr. Goodbar” cup. It was posted on her MySpace page.
Although Ms. Snyder apologized, she learned the day before graduation that she would not be awarded an education degree or teaching certificate. Jane Bray, dean of the School of Education, accused Ms. Snyder of promoting underage drinking, the suit states.
The federal lawsuit seeks at least $75,000 in damages. Millersville spokeswoman Janet Kacskos referred questions to a state System of Higher Education spokesman, who declined comment.
