A University of Missouri professor who urged his students to “stand up to bullies” by showing up for class and taking a scheduled exam has resigned his position after pressure from activists.
Dale Brigham tried to inject a little reality into the madness that has descended upon Mizzou and came under hysterical attacks for…something. Apparently, kids wanted his class cancelled and didn’t want to take the test.
A University of Missouri professor who challenged his students to show up for class despite fears over racially-motivated threats of violence or risk missing an exam says he has offered his resignation.
Dale Brigham told The Associated Press by email Wednesday that he ultimately backtracked and told students they could take the exam on a later date. His initial email to his Nutritional Science 1034 class urging them to “not give in to bullies” and warning that the test would be administered Wednesday whether students showed up or not sparked an angry response.
Brigham says he has offered his resignation, although university spokesman Christian Basi said he didn’t know yet whether the school had accepted the resignation.
A student at another campus is accused of having made the online threats.
That student accused of making threats was on “another campus” 100 miles away.
Here’s an email sent to Professor Brigham last night:
Here’s an email that Dale Brigham was sent last night after confirming he was having class. Not for young eyes. pic.twitter.com/WkcwggN6Ta
— T.J. Moe (@TJMoe28) November 11, 2015
With such intelligent discourse occurring at Mizzou, what’s the problem?
Here’s the text of the offending email he sent to students:
One student told Campus Reform that Mr. Brigham was “one of the most beloved professors at Mizzou.”
“His class was one of the most popular at Mizzou and he was the friendliest teacher I’ve ever had. It’s a shame that he’s leaving while Melissa Click stays,” the student continued. The student also told Campus Reform that campus was open and classes were being held, but “false KKK threats” caused a “panic” among students.
Beloved or not, he did not obey the fascists who have now taken over the school because the adults have abdicated. Infants are running the nursery and it’s a school holiday with ice cream for all whenever they want it.
As far as the KKK is concerned, the student body president announced earlier today that the Klan was on campus and cautioned black students to stay indoors and away from windows.
Turns out, he made the whole thing up:
Late Tuesday night, Twitter began to explode with students and others claiming that KKK members had been spotted walking around MU’s flagship Columbia campus. The rumors appear to have been given major life after MU’s student body president, Payton Head, made a Facebook post declaring that the KKK sighting had been confirmed and that he was actively working with police and even the National Guard on the matter.
Head’s comments added to the tumult, and soon dozens both on and off-campus were tweeting about the supposed KKK presence, with some claiming the Klansmen were throwing bricks through dorm windows and others wildly claiming the KKK were enjoying police protection:
But it turns out the entire affair was an incident of mass hysteria. Barely an hour after the mania began, local police clarified that there was no evidence of any KKK activity on campus.
“We have found no evidence of anything related to the KKK on campus,” police spokesman Brian Weimar said in a statement. Not only that, but despite Head’s claim to be working with the National Guard, Weimar said the Guard was not present at MU at all.
School officials as well did what they could to tamp down on the panic.
Shortly after, Head deleted his initial confirmation and apologized for spreading rumors.
“I’m sorry about the misinformation that I have shared through social media,” Head said. “In a state of alarm, I was concerned for all students of the University of Missouri and wanted to ensure that everyone was safe. I received and shared information from multiple incorrect sources, which I deeply regret.”
The student body president was not spreading “misinformation.” He was telling lies. And given the intense feelings on campus, his words could have gotten some white guy killed. He should be expelled, or at least stripped of his office.
If I were a Mizzou professor, I would write out my resignation letter now, to save time later.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member