“The board respects Dr. Click’s right to express her views and does not base this decision on her support for students engaged in protest or their views,” Henrickson said in the prepared statement. “However, Dr. Click was not entitled to interfere with the rights of others, to confront members of law enforcement or to encourage potential physical intimidation against a student.”
The statement from Henrickson cited Click’s behavior at the Homecoming parade, when she cursed at a police officer who was moving protesters out of the street, and on Nov. 9 at Concerned Student 1950’s protest site on the Carnahan Quadrangle. Her actions at the protest site, Henrickson said, “when she interfered with members of the media and students who were exercising their rights in a public space and called for intimidation against one of our students, we believe demands serious action.”
Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news...cle_4b0ae653-2d61-5f3f-9ede-a129d12f0fd1.html
The protests at the flagship state university over race and other bias issues had paralyzed the campus and forced the resignation of the system president and chancellor. When a student journalist said he had a First Amendment right to be there and take photos, Click said, “I can’t hear you!” and started chanting, according to a transcript released by the university system, “Hey hey! Ho ho! Reporters have got to go!”
Click apologized, and many professors defended her and the principle of academic freedom, but the earlier image of her became a symbol for others of attempts to muzzle freedom of speech and of a public university system in chaos.
“The board believes that Dr. Click’s conduct was not compatible with university policies and did not meet expectations for a university faculty member,” Henrickson wrote.
“The circumstances surrounding Dr. Click’s behavior, both at a protest in October when she tried to interfere with police officers who were carrying out their duties, and at a rally in November, when she interfered with members of the media and students who were exercising their rights in a public space and called for intimidation against one of our students, we believe demands serious action.
“The board respects Dr. Click’s right to express her views and does not base this decision on her support for students engaged in protest or their views.
“However, Dr. Click was not entitled to interfere with the rights of others, to confront members of law enforcement or to encourage potential physical intimidation against a student.”
The university system released material collected, including Click apparently urging reporters to cover the protest earlier, a statement signed by many faculty members expressing strong support for her and for her First Amendment right to protest after the controversy erupted, police reports, a written apology from Click in response to a letter from the provost, and an interview in which she says she saw student protesters in November and was moved to lock arms with them, and that when she sees that video, she feels embarrassed, “and very sorry for my behavior in that moment.”
Source:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ushed-reporter-away-from-protesters-is-fired/
YouTube video of student incident:
https://youtu.be/xRlRAyulN4o
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It boggles the mind that a communications professor, with an appointment in the journalism department would think that it was OK to try to tell journalists that they are not allowed on public property and then to threaten one with physical harm.
It's great to see that the University is standing up for the first amendment rights of its students and making it clear that such behavior is not acceptable for a member of faculty.