Some UGA faculty members say inviting a controversial US Supreme Court justice to speak at graduation sends the wrong message to staff and students. Before US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was sworn in in 1991, he faced a rancorous confirmation process. Thomas was accused of sexually harassing a former employee. The Georgia native has been picked to be UGA’s 2008 graduation speaker. However, some on campus say choosing Thomas is a poor choice after a year of sexual harassment scandals on campus. Three UGA professors have resigned since late 2007, accused of inappropriate behavior. A spokesperson for UGA says Justice Thomas has a close relationship with the UGA School of Law and has lectured on campus several times. The University Council will meet later today to hear from concerned faculty and students opposed to this year’s graduation speaker.
