SFSU Professor Draws Scrutiny Over Political Ad Campaign Class Assignment

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A San Francisco State University professor is drawing scrutiny for a class assignment that asked students to create a political campaign ad.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Joe Tuman gave the students the option to create the ad for a real person, including him, and said he would use it if it were good.

Tuman, who contributes political analysis for KPIX 5 and KCBS Radio, lost the Oakland mayor's race in 2010, but is exploring another run next year. Ethics experts say any use of the students' work by Tuman could run afoul of the law.

Gary Winuk with the Fair Political Practices Commission says the agency would review the matter.

Tuman told the Chronicle he was being sarcastic when he said he might use the students' ads and has no intention of doing so.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)