Isn't it slander to spread rumors about a teacher?

[tcroc]

I am in nursing school, and last week one of our teachers was ill and had to leave before class even started. Witnesses claimed that something just wasn't right about the way this person was acting. Luckily one student had the smarts to see that something was wrong, and alerted staff. When I had arrived to school, I was not even two steps in the door when someone ran up to me and said our teacher was DRUNK! There was absolutely no proof to that, and I feel as adults that we should not be spreading things like that around. This is NOT highschool people! Well now the rumors are flying, and even some letter about our teacher losing their liscence for drug use from 1982, is floating around. I feel that it is appaling to see grown men and women spreading unfounded truths about someone who was the sweetest teacher, who would give you the shirt off their back, and help us above and beyond any instructor ever has!! The director has stated that the teacher is ill, and wont be returning because of health issues.

My question is to all out their is: Is it slander to spread rumors and a letter (that any one with a computer could have manufactured) around?

I have told people that I am close with in class to beware of what they say, that it may just bite them back. Not to mention to think about the loving caring person they are talking about. We should be praying for this instructors return to health. Isn't that what a nurse does?

[paacollins]

If you say stuff about someone then it is slander and if you write stuff about them it is libel. These students are acting very childish and obviously don't know the facts of the situation. If the dean of nursing finds out about their gossip, and she most likely will, they could find themselves in a lot of trouble. Their teacher isn't likely to be too happy with them either. The worst part of the situation is they are going into a profession where privacy is a MAJOR issue and they are showing they care nothing about a person's privacy. They either need to grow up or change majors.

PS Yes compassion is a huge component of nursing and you seem to have the right attitude. You I'd want as my nurse; the others..............

[tcroc]

I am glad you agree, since we don't actually know what is wrong with our teacher, spreading lies can hurt the teachers reputation. The students that had copies of some letter that may not even be true, said everyone knew about it, it is public record. I responded by saying that that may or may not be a real document, and that was 1982, this is now, I wouldn't pass that around if I was you.