U Of I Professor Accused Of Filming In Bathroom Placed On Leave

CHAMPAIGN, IL - A University of Illinois professor who reportedly was caught filming a former graduate student and Chief Illiniwek portrayer in the bathroom of the State Farm Center during the University of Illinois' home basketball game against Michigan State University Monday night will not face charges but has been placed on administrative leave by the university. Jay Rosenstein, a cinema studies professor at the university, was arrested in Champaign County but was released from jail without facing any charges, according to a report from the News-Gazette.

Rosenstein has long been an outspoken opponent of Chief Illiniwek, the controversial university mascot whose regular presence at university sporting events was nixed years ago.

"Jay Rosenstein has been released and will not be in court. We are declining to file charges at this time," State's Attorney Julia Rietz, said, the News-Gazette reports. "The criminal justice system is not the place to gain an advantage for one side or the other on a public debate."

An account from Ivan "Alex" Dozier, a University of Illinois graduate student, former Chief Illiniwek portrayer and longtime Chief supporter, detailed the alleged interaction between him and Rosenstein at the arena Monday night in a Facebook post.

"While I was in the hallway, I noticed a certain cinema studies professor, phone in hand, no doubt gathering footage for another sequel no one asked for. I wasn't in the mood for confrontation, so I ducked into the bathroom for a little privacy," Dozier wrote in a public post that's now been shared hundreds of times.

"After finishing my business at the urinal, I turned to find the professor, phone still in hand and pointed right at me. I was almost speechless...the man was literally trying to catch me with my pants down. You'd think as many times as I've been harassed by this guy, that I would know how to react by now."

According to the News-Gazette, Dozier is a member of the Honor the Chief Society and a former graduate student at the University of Illinois, where he earned a master's degree in 2016.

Rosenstein has been on the other extreme of the Chief issue. He's the creator of the 1990s "In Whose Honor?" documentary that "takes a critical look at the long-running practice of using American Indians as sports mascots," according to his website. The university's website describes Rosenstein as someone recognized as "an expert" on the subject of American Indian mascots in sports.

Rosenstein's Twitter account appears to have been deleted Tuesday afternoon and he did not immediately respond to an email request for a comment on the incident.

Dozier wrote in the post that his father was in one of the stalls and heard the confrontation before tracking down security officers who witnessed it, according to the News-Gazette report.

"I cannot stress enough how unsafe of a campus environment we have hear (sic) on campus," Dozier wrote. "This isn't a political thing for me...I'm not here trying to be an activist or make a big scene. All I want is to be able to go to an Illini game, and be proud of the Native heritage that we used to honor and respect at this school. Instead, I have professors literally following me into the bathroom...clearly misinterpreting the term "exposé"."

Rosenstein was booked into the Champaign County Jail at 9:46 p.m. on a preliminary charge of unauthorized videotaping, the News-Gazette reported. That's usually a Class A misdemeanor when done in a public restroom.

While the criminal investigation into Rosenstein's actions in the bathroom appears to be closed, the University of Illinois confirmed an internal investigation of their own on the incident through the school's Office of Public Affairs.

"Prof. Rosenstein is being placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into this allegation," Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for public affairs, wrote in an email Tuesday.

Kaler said that if the allegations against Rosenstein are true, "they do not comport with the university’s Code of Conduct."

"Video recording of individuals in a public restroom without permission is an unacceptable violation of personal privacy under any circumstances."

Rosenstein has been placed on paid administrative leave during the school's investigation.

Before the university announced their investigation, Rosenstein's apparent avoidance of consequence has been the source of criticism by many in Champaign who reacted to the news.

U of I alum and sports columnist Dave Wischnowsky, who says he's "been at odds on various social platforms for more than a decade over the Illiniwek issue," provided a series of tweets on Rosenstein's arrest and possible fallout Tuesday afternoon.

"The state's attorney's office may have dropped it, but I sincerely hope that @Illinois_Alma takes some kind of disciplinary action against Jay Rosenstein," Wischnowsky wrote. "His actions last night were inexcusable – and disgusting."

"I'll be surprised if there is any discipline. But I personally think that his actions at SFC last night would merit a ban from attending Illinois sporting events."

Dozier wrote in his Facebook post that there was a Chief Illiniwek appearance at the State Farm Center Friday night and the person who made the appearance as the Chief "did a stellar job."

"We're a bit shaken up, but I hope this incident can help bring justice and show the true colors of those who fight to eliminate us."

More via the News-Gazette

Photo: Champaign County Booking