The Story¶
This case is complex, involving years of academic history and months of legal maneuvering. To make it easier to understand, we've broken it down into four chronological chapters.
Start with Chapter 1 to see how the dismissal unfolded, or jump to the active disputes in Chapters 2-4.
Chapter 1: The Dismissal¶
December 2023
It started with public criticism of pandemic policies and ended with an expulsion. But was the process followed correctly? This chapter details the events leading up to the dismissal and the immediate aftermath.
Read Chapter 1: How This Started
Chapter 2: The Records Battle¶
October 2025 – Present
After the dismissal, Kevin Bass sought to inspect his student records. What he found—and what the university refused to release—sparked a new conflict. This chapter covers the fight for transparency under the Texas Public Information Act.
Read Chapter 2: The Records Fight
Chapter 3: Due Process¶
October 2025 – Present
With records in hand (and some missing), the focus turned to the dismissal hearing itself. Was it fair? Were the proper procedures followed? This chapter outlines the formal requests for a new, fair hearing.
Read Chapter 3: Requesting a Fair Hearing
Chapter 4: The Squeeze¶
December 2025
While legal requests were pending, the university moved to collect "debts" related to the enrollment they had terminated. This chapter documents the aggressive debt collection tactics used during the dispute.
Read Chapter 4: Debt Collection
Chapter 5: The Lawsuit¶
February 2026
After exhausting administrative channels, Kevin Bass filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas. The Third Amended Complaint (104 pages) asserts seven claims against eleven defendants. The defendants have moved to dismiss; Kevin's response and 92-page appendix are on file.
The Paper Trail — the institution's own emails
"Why I Am Suing Texas Tech" (Substack)
Summary of Key Themes¶
As you read, look for these recurring patterns:
- Discrepancies: Gaps between what was said in emails/recordings and what appeared in the official report.
- Silence: Repeated failure of the institution to respond to substantive questions.
- Process Violations: Specific instances where the university's own policies appear to have been ignored.
Deep Dive: For a more personal and analytical perspective, see the Case Analysis Essays.