Slander/libel are extremely difficult to prove in the case of "public figures" (the University would certainly be considered one). You'd have to prove not just that the material is false, but what is called "actual malice", meaning that the purveyor of the material either knew the material was false or published the material with reckless disregard for the truth. In other words, if they happen to just be wrong, you most likely lose. Then even if you win, trying to prove damages would be virtually impossible in something so subjective as football recruiting.
The name change was due to a legal issue. DM operates both as a student organization affiliated with the University and as an independent, tax-exempt organization (commonly known as a 501(c)(3) organization). The University, as I'm sure you figured out, is also a tax-exempt organization. The name "University of Michigan Dance Marathon" raised some issues about whether it implied that the University "owned" the organization, which would be a violation of 501(c)(3) status (each organization incorporated as a tax-exempt organization must be independent, one cannot control the other). To ensure there would be no challenge to either organization's tax-exempt status, DM had the option of relinquishing significant control of the organization and operating as a part of the University under the University's rules and structure as a tax-exempt organization or changing the name slightly and maintaining full control of the operation of the organization. They chose the latter, thus the name change.
Recent Comments
Slander/libel are extremely difficult to prove in the case of "public figures" (the University would certainly be considered one). You'd have to prove not just that the material is false, but what is called "actual malice", meaning that the purveyor of the material either knew the material was false or published the material with reckless disregard for the truth. In other words, if they happen to just be wrong, you most likely lose. Then even if you win, trying to prove damages would be virtually impossible in something so subjective as football recruiting.
Bando,
The name change was due to a legal issue. DM operates both as a student organization affiliated with the University and as an independent, tax-exempt organization (commonly known as a 501(c)(3) organization). The University, as I'm sure you figured out, is also a tax-exempt organization. The name "University of Michigan Dance Marathon" raised some issues about whether it implied that the University "owned" the organization, which would be a violation of 501(c)(3) status (each organization incorporated as a tax-exempt organization must be independent, one cannot control the other). To ensure there would be no challenge to either organization's tax-exempt status, DM had the option of relinquishing significant control of the organization and operating as a part of the University under the University's rules and structure as a tax-exempt organization or changing the name slightly and maintaining full control of the operation of the organization. They chose the latter, thus the name change.