MU Faculty Council questions chancellor’s comments on critics
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Some faculty at the University of Missouri voiced concerns Thursday over MU Interim Chancellor Mun Choi's recent comments about people who criticized the university.
Choi told a newspaper reporter last week about tweets made by journalism professor Sebastian Martinez Valdivia regarding the Thomas Jefferson statue on campus.
Campus police reportedly questioned Martinez about spray paint found near the statue last month. Police later arrested Ian Laird in connection with the incident.
Now some on the MU Faculty Council want an independent investigation into how police ended up questioning Martinez.
The council is scheduled to vote on a resolution about a potential investigation during its next meeting in August.
The resolution states that some MU faculty are concerned about the institutional power or targeting that may occur if they express that they do not agree with top administrative decisions.
Some members of the council said during its meeting Thursday afternoon that Choi's comments to the newspaper made them fearful and intimidated. Some said they were worried about others being publicly targeted for disagreeing with Choi’s opinions.
“I think there is a bigger issue here that your answer is avoiding," said faculty member Cristina Mislan." In addition to that, being done... in that same article it stated that people need to get new jobs if they don't agree. It was the right of those faculty and staff to tweet, what they tweeted they have a right to do that.”
During the meeting, Choi said he could see how the situation could be viewed in a negative way and acknowledged that it is their first amendment right to tweet their own opinions.
“When I sent the sent the message to Sebastian," Choi said. "I said you have every right to say it... but think a little bit about what the consequences the university may be if we promote in that case, or care to promote an all out disruption at the university. Are there positive ways that you can get to that place?”
Choi said he wants senior leaders to support his decisions but wants to meet with people that disagree with him.
“Once we do make a decision," Choi said. "If those leaders are out publicly... saying that they don't support the decision. That we're not move the institution forward. So my message was for them, the senior leaders and to say... how can we find constructive ways for us to move the university forward?"
