Middleton fires back at former UM president
Another salvo was fired Tuesday, in the battle of words between the University of Missouri system and its former leader, Tim Wolfe.
The latest exchange after the unrest and transition at the university comes in an article from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In the article, interim president Michael Middleton acknowledges the concerns of some that the University has capitulated to a “small and misguided mob.” Middleton says the students are not in charge, but that doesn’t mean the students don’t matter.
The interviewer asked Middleton about Tim Wolfe’s letter criticizing the University of Missouri System and the hiring of Middleton as interim president. Middleton said Wolfe’s remarks are a remnant of the very racism the protesters were identifying at Mizzou.
He went on to say Wolfe’s letter suggested Middleton’s role as a black administrator, and his relationship with the hunger-striking student Jonathan Butler, was to “keep those people quiet and happy.” Middleton says he thinks Wolfe perceived him as a leader who was supposed to keep “those people out of (Wolfe’s) business.”
The publication pointed out that Tim Wolfe didn’t respond to a request for a response to the article. ABC 17 News has also emailed, called and gone to Wolfe’s house asking for more details about his claims and allegations in the email that become known to the public. A man at Wolfe’s house said Wolfe was not home, nor has Wolfe returned our messages.
The UM Board of Curators is set to hold a meeting Thursday and Friday to discuss a variety of topics, including an update on the search for a new system president.
