A tenure-track law professor at Georgia College and State University has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was effectively fired after publicly complaining about student entitlement and widespread plagiarism. The lawsuit asserts his online comments were protected speech under the U.S. Constitution and that university officials retaliated without due process.
Professor Adam Lamparello, a public law instructor who received his department’s “Excellence in Teaching” award, brought the legal action in late 2025 against Georgia College and State University (GCSU) in Milledgeville, Georgia, and several administrators and Board of Regents officials.
According to the lawsuit, Lamparello encountered persistent academic integrity issues in a spring semester class, where “nearly half” of students allegedly submitted plagiarized work. The suit claims his internal complaints were ignored by university leadership, prompting him to share his concerns on a professional listserv, seeking advice from peers on handling the trend.
In his listserv post, Lamparello wrote that students had become “more entitled” and lacked accountability, and that many plagiarized despite his efforts to support and correct them. The post asked colleagues whether they had observed similar patterns and how they addressed the issue.
After the post circulated, Lamparello was summoned to a meeting with GCSU President Cathy Cox and human resources officials, including Interim Chief HR Officer Amy Phillips. The lawsuit states administrators criticized his comments as harmful to the university’s image and suggested they could negatively affect students’ law school prospects. The suit notes the university raised allegations of a Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) violation, claiming Lamparello’s remarks disclosed protected student information.
The lawsuit contends Lamparello was neither informed of any investigation into his online conduct nor given an opportunity to respond before his employment was terminated. He argues this violated both his First Amendment right to free speech and his 14th Amendment right to due process. Lamparello’s complaint seeks monetary damages, reinstatement, and a court declaration affirming his constitutional rights.
In response to media inquiries, GCSU confirmed receipt of the lawsuit but maintained the university followed all applicable laws and Board of Regents and institutional policies in handling Lamparello’s employment. The statement also noted Lamparello resigned voluntarily in July 2025. University officials have declined further comment due to the pending litigation.
The case highlights ongoing debates surrounding academic freedom, free speech, and institutional accountability in higher education. Supporters of Lamparello say the lawsuit could affirm protections for faculty who raise concerns about declining standards and student behavior. Critics argue faculty must balance candid discussion with professional obligations and institutional policies.
