Board of Curators rejects Melissa Click’s termination appeal

In Monday’s executive session, the UM System Board of Curators voted unanimously to reject an appeal Dr. Melissa Click filed following her February termination.

Board chair Pamela Hendrickson said in a prepared satement that “her appeal brought no new relevant information to the curators.”

Hendrickson said the board believed Dr. Click was treated fairly throughout the discipline and appeals process.

Hendrickson said the process included hiring investigators that met with witnesses and Dr. Click to hear her opinion.

Click also met with the investigator to provide comments to the investigator’s report, which included all documents, videos and witness statements before the final report was reviewed by the board.

“We consider this matter now closed and are moving forward as a university and as a community,” Hendrickson said in the release.

Included in the statement from Hendrickson were links to Dr. Click’s initial appeal and the Board of Curator’s letter of response.

“The Board reiterates that it is your conduct that is the reason for termination of your employment,” the letter said.

Melissa Click’s response to the Board of Curators’ decision:

“I am not surprised, but am certainly dissatisfied with the University of Missouri Board of Curators’ denial of my appeal and termination of my employment. I will continue to fight the Board of Curators’ decision. Supported by the American Association of University Professors, the UM System Intercampus Faculty Council, and MU’s Faculty Council, I believe the Curators’ actions violate university policy and set a dangerous precedent. I maintain the belief that my actions should be fairly reviewed within the context of the volatile situations I encountered on October 10 , 2015 and November 9 , 2015, and within the context of 12 years of outstanding service to MU. Although the Curators’ decision appears to be designed to discourage future activism, I hope the MU community will continue to advocate for fair treatment of all students, staff, and faculty.”