The University of Texas at San Antonio is investigating a video showing San Antonio officers escorting a student out of a classroom a...
The University of Texas at San Antonio is investigating a video showing San Antonio officers escorting a student out of a classroom after a professor allegedly called them on her for having her feet propped up on a chair.
Twitter user @ApurvaYRawal posted a video of the incident Monday afternoon.
"So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil."
He went on to say that Biology professor Anita Moss had called officers to escort her out for having her feet propped up on a seat in front of her.
"The class before this professor went on a whole tirade about how uncivil we all were because a few students were on their phone or not paying attention, cutting lecture time for the rest of us because her ego was bruised. As upset as I am that my professor decided to throw a temper tantrum the lecture before an exam and cancel class, I'm even more outraged that she would decide to single out and humiliate a student just to flex her authority in a destructive manner. I chose to attend this university because of it's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, and today's events genuinely make me concerned for not only my fellow students, but any future roadrunners that may choose to attend this institution in the future. @UTSA you need to answer for this, because I know we as a university are better than this," Rawal tweeted.
Twitter user @FavoritePaigeee identified herself as the student who was escorted out.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio responded to the tweet saying she and Interim College of Sciences Dean Howard Grimes are aware of the video and are currently investigating the incident.
"COS Interim Dean Howard Grimes and I both are aware of the video that was taken in a biology classroom earlier today. Creating a classroom environment that is conducive to learning is our priority, so we too are concerned and will respond accordingly when we learn more," she tweeted.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy also released a statement saying:
"Dear Roadrunners,
Today we had an incident where one of our African American students was escorted from a biology class by members of UTSA’s police department at the request of a faculty member.
While the facts aren’t fully known regarding today’s incident, our Office of Equal Opportunity Services is already conducting an investigation into possible discrimination. In addition, an inquiry regarding the academic management of the classroom is being conducted by Interim Dean of the College of Sciences Howard Grimes.
Beyond this particular incident, I am very much aware that the circumstance represents another example of the work we need to do as an institution around issues of inclusivity and supporting our students of color.
This concerns me greatly, and it’s incumbent upon us as an institution to face this head-on. It’s something that we need to address immediately as a university community. I look forward to the arrival of Dr. Myron Anderson, our new Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, to assist us with developing a strategy to address these systemic issues.
I welcome your concerns being shared directly with me and my office by emailing taylor.eighmy@utsa.edu.
I promise to begin this process immediately – it will take time, but has my full commitment.
With appreciation,
Taylor Eighmy"
Many Twitter users were upset over the allegations, while some stated that the video did not show what happened in its entirety.
No comments