A University of Wisconsin Stevens Point professor is in trouble after offering his students extra credit in exchange for lobbying on behalf of a smoking ban in city bars and restaurants.
Last November, Professor John Munson offered 1,500 extra credit points to students who got involved in a petition drive to get a smoking ban referendum on the spring election ballot.
Now a group of businesses say Munson's e–mail constitutes illegal political advocacy because he is a state employee.
They have filed a lawsuit against Munson and the university,but they are not seeking monetary damages.
Voters defeated the smoking ban referendum on April fifth.
