The Neptune Hall nudist lost his appeal last week and must move elsewhere next semester and never return to the hall.

NIU student Tom Ryan’s appeal was denied Thursday by the Judicial Office. He was found guilty of both harassment of a university official and failure to follow the instructions of a university official.

Therefore, he must transfer out of Neptune Hall to another residence hall, and he has been banned from Neptune. “I don’t think the system is fair,” Ryan said. “I think it’s oppressive.”

Ryan says he expected the verdict, but believes the penalties were “much too severe.”

“In practice, students post all kinds of things on their doors,” he said. “I’ve seen things that could have been considered offensive. Who judges such things in the real world?”

NIU Judicial Office officials said they cannot comment on individual cases or their outcomes.

Ryan’s charges stem from the posting of a photocopy of a picture of Neptune/Gilbert Area Coordinator Margaret Phillips on his door. Underneath the picture were the words “To Tom with love—Margaret,” which offended Phillips causing her to file a complaint against Ryan for harassment.

Phillips has not commented on any aspect of the case, but the complaint stated he posted “an inappropriate picture.”

Ryan claims he was called into Hall Adjudicator Christopher Waugh’s office and told what penalties he could incur if he were to leave the photo on his door. Waugh would not comment on the issue, but the official complaint he filed stated, “We talked about related issues, like harassment and unauthorized posting on university property.”

Consequently, Ryan has filed a complaint against Waugh for harassment and dishonesty in judicial and administrative matters. Ryan claims his rights were “definitely violated.”

The complaint was forwarded from the Judicial Office to the Housing Office where it is under investigation.

Housing Director Carl Jardine could not comment on individual cases, but did say Ryan’s complaint is being looked at. “Anyone who files a complaint has the right to be heard,” he said. “Whenever we have a complaint, we completely investigate on our part to determine if it warrants action.”

Jardine did make some general comments on the issue of what can be posted on residence hall doors, an issue he claims continues to be “vague and complicated.”

“The debate continues about the question of free speech and the First Amendment,” he said. “What’s missing in the debate is the sensitivity of the individual and responsibility toward society as a whole. We don’t always seem to recognize what our responsibilities towards managing those rights and privileges are.”

Jardine said the university should be a safe and welcome environment for all individuals, and when postings are deemed offensive and derogatory toward individuals based on their sex, race or creed the university must intervene.

Each item is looked at on an individual basis by all members of the housing staff, from the resident assistant to senior staff. “When we believe it is violation of the judicial code, then it is forwarded to their office for further action.

“It is unfortunate individuals are not able to understand the responsibility toward dealing with other people in place of their rights,” Jardine said.

Ryan also awaits a Dec. 2 judicial hearing on charges of disruptive behavior for his out-of-the-ordinary behavior on Oct. 14 when he was allegedly found watching “Seinfeld” in the nude in a fourth floor lounge of Neptune Hall with only a stack of inner tubes covering him.

The University Police charged him with disorderly conduct for the incident as well. He has entered a plea of not guilty and awaits a court date of Jan. 24 on that charge.