Missouri May Kick Prof Out Of Journalism School

The faculty of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism are holding a vote Tuesday on whether to revoke a courtesy appointment held associate professor Melissa Click, just a day after she grabbed headlines for rallying a mob against a cameraman attempting to cover protests at the school.

The vote was announced by journalism Dean David Kurpius in a statement published on the School of Journalism’s website. In the statement, Kurpius praised student journalist Tim Tai and was critical of Click, who he emphasized was not a professor at the school.

“She is a member of the MU Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Science,” the statement said. “In that capacity she holds a courtesy appointment with the School of Journalism. Journalism School faculty members are taking immediate action to review that appointment.”

The school’s move isn’t entirely surprising. Missouri’s journalism school is one of the country’s most prestigious, and Click’s position with the school opened it up to heavy criticism that somebody affiliated with the school was so hostile to the First Amendment.

While it was initially reported otherwise in some media outlets, Click’s professorship is not immediately in danger, as the College of Arts and Sciences has taken no action against her yet.

“I in no way condone what Dr. Click did, but I hope (key word) that we can chalk this up to inflamed passion and inexperience,” College of Arts and Sciences dean Michael O’Brien said in an email obtained by the Columbia Missourian, indicating that any action from that sector to terminate Click is unlikely.

It may not even hinder Click’s ability to teach. Kurpius told the the Columbia Missourian that as far as he knew she had never taught a single course for the journalism school.

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