Who knew the practice of banishment is alive and well in higher education?

The Denver Post reported.

University of Colorado prof seeks $2 million for campus banishment

A University of Colorado philosophy professor who was banished from the Boulder campus this spring is seeking $2 million in damages from the university.

Associate professor Dan Kaufman has filed four notices of claim, a step required by Colorado law to sue a public entity, and alleges that he has suffered discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

He also is claiming defamation, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress by the university.

CU banished Kaufman from campus for more than two months, and reinstated him after he was evaluated by a violence expert.

Under the Colorado Open Records Act, the Daily Camera obtained redacted versions of the four notices of claim filed by Kaufman’s Lakewood-based attorney, Seth Benezra.

Patrick O’Rourke, CU’s chief legal officer, said he redacted the documents heavily to protect Kaufman’s medical and personnel information.

The most recent notice of claim, filed Aug. 6, names provost Russ Moore, College of Arts and Sciences dean Steven Leigh, philosophy chairman Andy Cowell and CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard as employees involved in Kaufman’s injury.

Kaufman is seeking damages for lost future employment opportunities, severe emotional distress and attorney costs. Kaufman and his attorney declined comment.

O’Rourke said there are no discussions of a settlement agreement. “We believe that the university has acted appropriately and we will defend the lawsuit if it gets filed.”

In early March, undergraduate students in Kaufman’s introductory philosophy class said they watched campus police escort the professor out of the building.

The state and local chapters of the American Association of University Professors claimed that Kaufman was suspended and barred from campus for a joke he made about suicide. Philosophy faculty members were notified by e-mail that they should call police if they saw Kaufman on campus.