Professor: TOMMY LEE Poses Major Distraction That Students Should Not Be Subjected To

Maggie Stehr of the Daily Nebraskan reports: Starting today (Oct. 7),infamous MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee will abandon the school of rock and rehab for UNL to film a month-long NBC reality show documenting campus life.

NBC representatives met with members of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska on Wednesday to discuss Lee's presence on campus, said President Katie Weichman.

"Tommy Lee will be a noticeable presence on campus," she said. "Having camera crews anywhere is always a distraction, but we want the university to be portrayed as the high quality institution we think it is."

Despite the tattooed rocker's reputation, university officials promised the show would highlight how quality higher education can reform a Hollywood lifestyle.

Although network officials divulged Lee's Cornhusker status to ASUN members, university officials would not confirm his participation, citing contractual agreements.

Scott Anderson, associate professor in the school of music, said the show's producers approached him two weeks ago about letting Lee sit in on his rock history class.

But Anderson turned down the offer for practical and moral reasons, he said.

"It is well known the guy has a pornographic video on the Internet and has issues with spousal abuse," he said. "I have young kids of my own and did not want to put myself in the position of glorifying that behavior."

In a lecture class of 240 students, a camera crew would be a real intrusion for students attempting to learn, he said.

"When students are paying what they are paying for this class, this kind of character poses a major distraction that students should not be subjected to," Anderson said.

Besides attending classes, Jeff Gerard, a junior computer science major and member of the UNL Marching Band, said Lee might be waking up for 7 a.m. practices.

Wednesday morning, band directors announced Lee would audition Monday for the drum line. If selected, he would perform during halftime in the Oct. 12 football game against Baylor, Gerard said.

If Lee made the cut, he’d be treated like any other drummer, he said.

Marching band practices are every morning at 7, and the drum section meets Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9. If Lee missed more than two practices, he would be ineligible to perform at the football game, Gerard said.

"He is not that famous anymore, so it will be like he is any other member of the band," he said. "We have been really focused in practice and having Tommy Lee there will not make a difference. If it means we have to bump into a cameraman to continue working, then we will." Read more.