As students and administrators at the University of Missouri dealt with anonymous threats aimed at students Tuesday night, one professor stirred up a new tempest -- one that led to his resignation -- with an email about Wednesday's class.
According to multiple reports, including The Washington Post, the text of professor Dale Brigham's email to his Nutritional Science 1034 class reads:
“If you don’t feel safe coming to class, then don’t come to class. I will be there, and there will be an exam administered in our class.
“If you give into bullies, they win. The only way bullies are defeated is by standing up to them. If we cancel the exam, they win; if we go through with it, they lose.
“I know which side I am on. You make your own choice.”
Reaction to his email spread quickly, with many students angered by what they saw as Brigham's insensitivity.
Get #DaleBrigham up outta there too #ConcernedStudent1950— Huey Uchiha (@OhLordTaylore) November 11, 2015
Dale Brigham PH.D. You are a complete failure as a human being, a school shooting threat after how many recently!! https://t.co/QpIyAQ2UzQ— Chaquetaqua (@chaquetaqua) November 11, 2015
On Wednesday, as backlash spread, Brigham tendered his resignation. Talking to KOMU earlier Wednesday afternoon, Brigham said, "I am just trying to do what I think is best for our students and the university as an institution." He also noted leadership had yet to accept his resignation.
I hope #DaleBrigham finds another job ASAP - He seemed like a good man who deserved none of this #Mizzou pic.twitter.com/8YLGtkNfZ9— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) November 11, 2015
As news of his resignation spread, students at the University of Missouri, who have already experienced a daunting couple of weeks, and outside observers were divided on Brigham.
Everyone's going after Dale Brigham for his statements about having class today. Nutrition 1034 is the biggest joke of a class....ever.— Austin Piephoff (@PiepersPipers) November 11, 2015
Dale Brigham was a GREAT DUDE. I'm positive he was unaware of issues going on which is why he finally changed his mind.— G Bar (@_gbar0) November 11, 2015
Aw man, I didn't think Dale Brigham would resign. He was a really sweet teacher, I loved his class. I just hate that he responded so poorly.— A j a. (@_ayjayay) November 11, 2015
Dr. Dale Brigham is a complete joke. I am sickened to be in his class.— Caylin. (@CaylinElizabeth) November 11, 2015
Meanwhile, another controversy at Missouri continued to unfold. Janna Basler, director of Greek Life, was placed on administrative leave as a result of her participation in a confrontation between protesters and a student journalist that was recorded and posted online, the same conflict that involved communications professor Melissa Click.
MU Director of Greek Life Janna Basler has been put on administrative leave @CoMissourian pic.twitter.com/ztYYe1ssaB— Katie Kull (@KatieKull1) November 11, 2015
In the video, Basler tells the student journalist to "back off" and can be seen pushing back his camera. On Tuesday, Basler issued a public apology. "Instead of defusing an already tense situation, I contributed to its escalation," she said.
Janna Basler issues public apology for getting in the face of Tim Tai: pic.twitter.com/IvVLvaEsAR— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) November 11, 2015
In a statement of support, the Mizzou Greek Councils said, "We understand the importance of upholding students’ First Amendment rights and were disappointed in the video uploaded yesterday, but we do not feel as if her actions at that time were reflective of her intentions to support students."