Student says university imposed 'Soviet-style' punishment over his Instagram posts

A rising senior at Fordham University has provided Campus Reform with letters he allegedly received from the school's dean of students notifying him that two of his posts shared on his personal social media violated the university's student conduct code and that he has been placed on probation as a result.

Austin Tong provided Campus Reform with two letters he said he received from Fordham University Dean of Students Keith Eldredge. The first letter, dated June 8, allegedly informed Tong that the university had launched an investigation to determine whether two of his Instagram posts violated university policy.

The first post, shared on Tong's personal Instagram account on June 3, shows a picture of David Dorn, the retired African-American police captain who was fatally shot while defending a friend’s pawn shop amid violent protests in St. Louis, and includes the caption, “Y’all a bunch of hypocrites.”

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Tong's second post shows him holding a firearm, which he says he purchased legally, pointed toward the ground. The post contains the caption, “Don’t tread on me. #198964.” The hashtag references the Tiananmen Square Incident, which occurred on June 4, 1989.

Tong told Campus Reform with regard to this post, “I want to honor the memory of an important Chinese Democracy Movement and the appreciation of the right to bear arms in America.” He said, “As an immigrant, a big beauty of America to me is the right it gives its citizens to bear arms, not only to protect themselves but also to keep the government in check."

Tong said he received a letter from Eldredge informing him that an investigation into his actions had been opened. The letter, dated June 8, cited possible violations of "regulations relating to bias and/or hate crimes," "threats/intimidation," and "disorderly conduct."

The letter, which was provided to Campus Reform, invited Tong to participate in a "disciplinary" hearing to further discuss the matter.

In a second letter dated July 14, a copy of which was also provided to Campus Reform, Eldredge allegedly informed Tong that he had been found in violation of "regulations relating to bias and/or hate crimes" and for "threats/intimidation."