MU employee returns to job after protests

ABC 17 News confirmed Janna Basler has returned to her job as student life associate director at MU, after she was placed on administrative leave following the campus protests in November.

Basler was captured on video during the confrontation last month between a student photographer and protesters. She was also an assistant director for Greek life.

After the incident, Basler released this 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.”