Knight files stay closed, judge rules

In a major victory for the University, a special judge ruled Monday afternoon IU does not have to release documents related to the firing of former basketball coach Bob Knight.\nThe lawsuit, originally filed in October of 2000 in Marion County by The Indianapolis Star, seeks access to documents in former men's basketball coach Bob Knight's personnel file and other records compiled during IU's investigation into Knight's conduct.\nThe original complaint claims IU violated Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, which gives individuals and agencies the opportunity to examine and copy public documents.\nIn refusing to release the records, the University cited both federal law and state exemptions to the open records law.\nThe Star said IU waived its right to open records exemptions when it voluntarily disclosed some of the records in news conferences to announce Knight's firing in September of 2000.\nKnight was fired Sept. 10, 2000, after violating a zero-tolerance conduct policy imposed by the University.\nWilliam Stephan, IU's interim vice president for public affairs and government relations, said the University is satisfied with the judge's ruling.\n"We're very pleased with the judge's decision today," Stephan said. "The court is affirming the University's position on these issues. We consider this as good news."\nThe Indianapolis Star attorney Kevin Betz could not be reached for comment late Monday. \nStephen Key, counsel for governmental affairs for the Hoosier State Press Association said Monday's ruling is disappointing and contradicts previous Indiana law.\n"There had already been a similar trial court decision, and (in) that case the judge ruled that you have to make all personnel files open," Key said. "That's the logical way to interpret the statute. How much information is enough. Is releasing one bit of information enough? Is that enough for the public to be informed? If they tell you that and two other bits of information, is that enough? Concerning a disciplinary action, the only thing to do is to make all the records available."\nThe University issued a summary of findings about its investigation in May but has refused to grant access to the underlying notes from which its conclusions were drawn.\nAfter Special Judge Jane Spencer Craney of Morgan County heard arguments on IU's motion for summary judgment on Aug. 10, both sides filed a series of court motions.\nIn granting the University's motion for summary judgment Monday, Spencer Craney agreed with IU that the case should be brought to an end because the facts are not in dispute and the law supports IU's position.\nKey said Monday's ruling gives government bodies too much autonomy.\n"This is a step backward," Key said. "If you have a government body controlling how much information is released, how is the public supposed to know if the disciplinary action was fair? It's going to be a lot harder for the public to know if the discipline is warranted."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.