A former Indiana State University professor continues to be defended by students with claims of being treated unjustly, while university officials find the claims to be unfounded.

Richard Coble, who began teaching at the university in August 2011, was informed on Dec. 2 that he would no longer be re-appointed to work at the university for the fall 2012 term.

"Dr. Coble has not been ‘dismissed' or ‘fired,'" said Melony Sacopolus, ISU's general counsel and secretary of the university. "He is simply not being re-appointed."

ISU students began the "Coblism Movement," after the university's action to not reappoint Coble.

Joshua Archer, a junior construction management major and president of the Coblism Movement, has rallied at least 11 other students to join in the efforts.

The group has created a Facebook page to raise awareness about what they consider to be unjust treatment of Coble. As of Thursday, the page had 31 "likes." The students supporting Coble  also established a headquarters located at 625 Cherry St.

The group is funded by other supporting students and out of pocket donations including "generous" donations from Coble, Archer said.

Coble has allowed the students to use his rented property as the headquarters and insists it has been his only contribution to the group.

Mike Ellis, a Terre Haute attorney, confirmed he is leasing property to Coble but was not aware of what the building was being used for. Coble had been a tenant of Ellis before his issues with the university, Ellis said.

Members of the Coblism movement attempted to speak with administrators about the issue, but were denied.

"We informed them that we were not going to discuss personnel issues with them," said President Daniel J. Bradley. "If they wanted to speak about the future of the programs at the College of Technology, we would be more than happy to speak with them."

Bradley said that personnel changes do not constitute what the universities goals are for the program and that they would be held at the same level as they always have.

"There is a current search underway for a new Department of Built Environment chairperson," Bradley said.

According to the Indiana State University handbook, during the first year of the probationary period, faculty members should be notified of their appointment or non-reappointment by a written statement from the President or the Provost no later than March 1.

"Every faculty member goes through a one year probationary period with a series of reviews throughout," Sacopolus said. "After each faculty member goes through a departmental review committee, they are then reviewed by the dean, before the final decision is made by the Provost to reappoint or release the individual from their position."

Coble maintains that his dismissal is unfounded and came as a complete surprise. "[Sacopolus] is afraid of getting stuff in the newspaper. That's why she doesn't want to speak the truth," Coble said.

Coble's initial complaint was directed towards the university for not supplying his personnel file and records.

Sacopolus said that Coble has had the opportunity to review his personnel file and records by placing a formal request in person at the Provost's office, or calling and setting up an appointment.

Coble denies having contact with Sacopolus. "There was no contact between me and Melony regarding my records. She never told me that."

Coble received his personnel file on Jan. 27 after visiting the Provost's office and voiced a second complaint because he believed his personnel file had been tampered with.

"I can't prove that anything was taken out of my file, but there is nothing in there explaining why I was unjustly removed or escorted off campus," Coble said.

According to a non re-appointment letter written by Provost Jack Maynard, Coble continues to receive full pay  of $100,000 through the spring semester 2012.