Mizzou student life associate director placed on administrative leave
The MU Department of Student Life issued a statement Wednesday night announcing Student Life Associate Director Janna Basler has been placed on administrative leave.
In the statement, Student Life Director Mark Lucas said quote, “Effective Nov. 11, Janna Basler has been placed on administrative leave and relieved of her duties as Director of Greek Life while we conduct an investigation regarding her recent actions.”
A Tweet sent around 10:00 Tuesday night, links to a Facebook post claiming to be a statement from the University of Missouri Department of Student Life Associate Director Janna Basler.
Basler and Assistant Professor Melissa Click, a member of the MU Communications Department and prior to Tuesday, (Click) held a courtesy appointment in the School of Journalism, are accused of confronting and harassing journalists who were trying to report on Monday’s campus protests.
This is the statement:
“As a student affairs professional, I take my responsibility to students very seriously. Yesterday, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me while trying to protect some of our students. Instead of defusing an already tense situation, I contributed to its escalation. I regret how I handled the situation, and I am offering a public apology to the journalist involved.
I have the utmost respect for journalists and the profession of journalism. I have devoted my career to helping students learn and develop outside the classroom. What happened on Carnahan Quadrangle has been a lesson for me. I am deeply sorry for what happened.”
End of statement
The comments that follow are mixed, ranging from forgiveness to additional calls for Basler’s termination.
Stay with ABC 17 News as we continue to update this story.