Student: 'Banished' from college

LAWRENCE, Kan., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- A woman says that she received an early diploma from Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas because of her opposition to the president.

Brenda Councillor, 45, said she learned during the holiday break she was now a graduate -- and would not be allowed to return to her dorm room on the Lawrence campus.

"I get a call from the registrar, and he says 'I have some good news -- you're graduated,'" Councillor told the Kansas City Star. "I feel like I've been banished."

University officials, including President Linda Sue Warner, say that the decision to give Councillor an early degree had nothing to do with petitions she circulated calling for Warner's removal. They say Councillor had more than enough credits and that their goal is to move students up and out.

Councillor said she wrote Russell Blackbird, the acting vice president for academic affairs, asking for an explanation of the university action. He answered that the school's business is with current students and he did not have time to deal with a "recent graduate."