TSU Faculty Member Arrested During Meeting On Campus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Dr. Jane Davis found herself in handcuffs Monday morning as she was removed from a faculty senate meeting at Tennessee State University.

The faculty senate president was escorted from the meeting after university leaders said she became uncontrollable.

"She continued being disruptive and very confrontational. Campus police were then called and Dr. Davis was arrested, after again being asked by the police officers to vacate the room," said Rick DelaHaya, TSU Director of Media Relations.

The English professor has a much different recollection of the incident.

"She would not let me talk. When I was trying to say things she would keep talking," Dr. Davis said.

When she was able to get a word in with TSU interim President Portia Shields, those words led to Davis' arrest.

"This has been relentless retaliation. What happened today was a show trial to intimidate the rest of the faculty. If any of you want to disagree with Dr. Shields, well then, you better be ready to suffer," according to Davis.

The professor notified state officials of what she perceived was grade fixing at TSU. She said her arrest Monday was another example of the retaliation against her for speaking up.

University leaders said that is not that case.

"There's no truth to that at all," DelaHaya said in response to Davis' allegations.

Davis will have to appear in court to face her disorderly conduct charge. It is a Class B misdemeanor.

Dr. Portia Shields was brought to TSU in January of 2011 to help turn around a troubled Tennessee State University.