Capella University Lawsuits

Kurt Linberg, the dean of Capella’s School of Technology gets blasted for changing the topic on a blog managed by the National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities at the University of Northern Colorado and for his unfounded attack on a student. As has been so typical of others at Capella University, (most notably Shawn Ambrose who has spent well over a year seeking out every opportunity possible to change the topic on other web sites that have discussed the importance of accessibility),  Kurt Linberg finally opened his big mouth, after more than a year of silence, in yet another attack on the student who has filed the lawsuit against him and others at Capella.

Not surprisingly, the original topic on the Phaedrus blog concerned suggestions for improving online learning that were being dicussed on an Australian site. As has been so typical, Linberg plunged in with the following:

“Kurt Linberg Says:
September 28th, 2005 at 11:07 am
In regards to the ex-Capella student, I suggest that interested parties see the hatred that this individual is spreading in one of his many websites, including capellasucks.com. I am very sorry that this individual has decided to use the [sic] IT skills in such hurtful and destructive ways.”

While the site operator, Nate Lowell, permitted Linberg’s drivel to be posted (we’re glad he did as it demonstrates Linberg’s viciousness), he also noted the following:

1. Linberg lies about sites attributed to the student who is suing him and Capella. The fact is, Capella University owns the web domain, http://www.capellasucks.com
2. Mr. Lowell rightfully mentions the malicious false rumors about websites that are critical about Capella containing malware.  The fact is, none of those sites do – Capella University has merely tried to steer visitors away from those sites in order to prevent the truth from being told.
3. Linberg’s ongoing refusal to provide any information, at all, regarding the accessibility of WebCT and his unfounded attack on the student to change the topic. Specifically, Mr. Lowell states, “Of note is that Dr Linberg does not refute any of the issues … by assuring us that the WebCT version Capella uses is, in fact, 504/508/ADA compliant, or pointing us to evidence that Capella takes disability access seriously, or any other kinds of constructive engagement. Instead his argument is to attack the standing of the student by suggesting that he is engaged in some kind of unsavory activity.”
4. Linberg posted his comments using a Capella IP address. We would like to point out that there have also been other, far more vicious attacks from Capella employees that have also used Capella’s computers.

Of course, Linberg refuses to mention that he:

• was personally responsible for the retaliation against the student.
• personally created Capella’s Kangaroo Court that denied the student all due process rights.
• personally ignored Capella’s written policies when he retaliated against the student.
• lied to a Federal law enforcement agency. He has also consistently referred to the instructor of the course involved in the lawsuit, Diane Stottlemyer, by her bogus title, “Dr. Stottlemyer.” As noted elsewhere, Stottlemyer purchased her phony graduate degrees from Lacrosse University – widely recognized as a diploma mill.

There is, obviously, far more information about the fact that Linberg is a liar but those matters are discussed elsewhere and will also be part of the trial. We salute Mr. Lowell for his integrity in rightfully questioning the motives of Linberg.

It needs to be mentioned that the attorney, Mr. Russell Thomas, Esq., representing the plaintiff has also posted the following request on of the Australian blogs mentioned:

"Your article was fascinating! I would be interested in being contacted by anyone with a disability who has experienced accessibility problems with any type of online learning platform. I am the attorney who is representing Jeffry La Marca in his lawsuit against Capella. I know there are others with disabilities, especially visual impairments, that have encountered difficulty with their online learning experiences. Please feel free to share these experiences with me. I can be reached by email at rjtlawfirm@yahoo.com."

The bottom line is that the lawsuit is about accessibility - and the fact that Capella has abused students with various types of problems, not just those with learning disabilities is something that continues even now.