This school is a Methodist College. So it's going to look down on people making out in public, which is exactly what the rule is trying to prevent. This was not making out, it was a kiss, and there are a number of couples on campus who do this all of the time. I know the law pretty well, and statements that can be taken in a lot of different ways like that rule usually actually have a specific implication, but just have to be worded that way because it doesn't look good to right "make-out" on a legal document. There has never been any kind of attempted enforcements against PDA's before, so I think it's safe to assume that mere kissing is not problematic behavior.
Yes, Elana standing in the doorway could easily have been mistaken as theatening behavior, however given the circomstances, anyone with an IQ greater than that of penut butter could see that it was a defensive move. The facts of the situation are that Mr. Ward has never before expressed any attention in Elana in the past. He is in fact a stranger (and I do put enfasis on the strange part). He is almost always in a joking mood. He is very friendly and touchy, even flirtatious, particularly towards girls. He has a very sudden and bad temper. He has verbally threatened students in the past and while i don't know if it is officialy in the records, this is known by other teachers and faculty. HE went out of his way to approach Elana and started the dialog. The fact that he confronted her easily can be seen as the provocation of conflict and in and of itself a very threatening act. Elana followed him, showing that although she dissagreed, she attemped to be cooperative despite Ward's behavior. Ward however was completely uncooperative.
As for the act of moving Elana out of the way, had he walked into her, even knocked her down doing so, but simply walked strait ahead and out of the door, he would not be convicted of assault by any judge in the nation. But he actually took the effort and made the mental decision to place his hands on Elana and use force to physicly move her. This IS assault, perhaps not unprovoced, but certainly unwarranted. Someone who would act in such a manner should not be around young people, bottom line.
Knowing Elana, and hearing stories of Mr. Ward, I have no doubt that there was much yelling going on. The officer no doubtedly was as shocked as Stacy Masson. I could understand the possibility of him simply doing the first thing that came to mind (pulling out cuffs and threatening Elana) in an attempt to simply get ahold of the situation. But it doesn't change the fact that he CHOSE not to do his job in helping her and not persueing Mr. Ward.
I know the law, I've grown up around politics and law and judges and all that crap. This is how any (good) judge would see this case. Granted with a jury of idiots, er, I mean peers, this could go either way. But bottom line, Elana did nothing wrong, he provoced a conflict, she attempted to defend herself, and he chose to act violently.
I'm not wearing any pants...