White Lecturer Who Called Cops On Black Student Wasn't Racially Biased, College Concludes
A Texas university has said that “racial bias was not a factor” in an incident in which a white lecturer called the police on a black student who reportedly had her feet propped up during a class.
Student Apurva Rawal recorded the incident at the University of Texas at San Antonio and uploaded the footage to Twitter on Tuesday.
“So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil,” he wrote.
“This professor stopped class entirely and stepped out to call the police just because one student had her feet up on a seat in front of her. Mind you she wasn’t talking or interrupting lecture.”
Two separate investigations have since been carried out in relation to the matter, including one on potential discrimination and another on classroom management.
In a letter sent to students and staff on Wednesday, the university’s president, Taylor Eighmy, said that in-depth interviews with both the faculty member and the student had been conducted.
“EOS’s [Equal Opportunity Services] assessment, based primarily on the opinion of the student, is that racial bias was not a factor in the actions of the faculty member,” he wrote. “Because the student feels the faculty member’s actions were not based in racial bias, she has elected not to file a formal complaint of discrimination with EOS regarding the incident.”
So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil 😬 pic.twitter.com/spq0ShXiFU
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
Earlier, Eighmy acknowledged that initial reactions to the incident indicated that “feelings of marginalization on the part of some students ― especially our African American students ― are real and profound.”
“Let me reiterate that the results of these investigations in no way diminish my firm commitment to the work we must do to create a more inclusive campus environment,” he wrote Wednesday.
“After hearing from so many students, faculty and staff regarding their feelings of marginalization, disrespect and fear, I am more convinced than ever that this is a top priority for UTSA.”
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. #utsa
— Kimberly Andrews Espy (@ProvostEspy) November 12, 2018
The second investigation concluded that the faculty member “failed to manage her classroom and displayed poor judgment in her handling” of the situation but that her actions didn’t warrant her firing.
“The instructor has a very strong track record of positive student evaluations, and she had no prior incidents of classroom mismanagement,” Eighmy wrote. “Moreover, the students interviewed shared their opinions that the faculty member’s actions did not warrant her dismissal.”
Twitter user @FavoritePaigeee has claimed to be the student involved in the incident, writing that, “upon entering class I was told I needed to leave or would be escorted out by officers.”
“I never disobeyed the student code of conduct. Not once,” she tweeted. “A police report is being filed atm [at the moment], this is just the beginning.”
HuffPost has contacted the user for comment.
This is me in Anita Moss’ 2053 Bio classroom. Upon entering class I was told I needed to leave or would be escorted out by officers, I never disobeyed the student code of conduct. Not once. A police report is being filed atm, this is just the beginning. Thanks for your support! https://t.co/YUZGmwgFa7
— pistachio 🍂🍁 (@FavoritePaigeee) November 12, 2018
I seriously can’t thank my class enough for this ♥️ they literally stood up for me after I was escorted out by 3 officers and called her out for being disruptive to them as well this whole semester. Completely overwhelmed and thankful rn
— pistachio 🍂🍁 (@FavoritePaigeee) November 12, 2018
Twitter users blasted the lecturer’s actions, with many calling on the university to dismiss her.
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hey fellow professors and teachers: don't do this https://t.co/4dWf8j09L5
— Eric Weiskott (@ericweiskott) November 13, 2018
If, as a professor, you don't realize disrupting your class to single out a student of color for putting her feet up is a waste of your students' valuable learning time, perhaps you don't really care about educating, do you? Former prof here, calling BS. #education https://t.co/GvXdwQGgcE
— Jess Phoenix 🌋 (@jessphoenix2018) November 13, 2018
Pretty straightforward here: Af-Am student stretched out in class not bothering anyone, talking or dysrupting class & Racist WW bio prof called campus police...not 1 student policy says ANYTHING about students not being able 2put feet up on t/back of chairs.#BioBetty https://t.co/1iEp3lI1PS
— Dr. Kate Shaw MA., MS., PsyD. (@katelovesneuro) November 13, 2018
She should be fired. Immediately. Jesus Christ the class wasn't even full. https://t.co/LDJJELwjUm
— Bella Pink Patti (@TheseJustTweets) November 14, 2018
Obvs your girl had to take a moment to give Professor Moss (anita.moss@utsa.edu) a shout pic.twitter.com/Fpiep3abvC
— Chantel Cole (@Chantelcole_) November 13, 2018
Apparently, being black while learning has become a felony.
— Samuel Carroll Brown (@SCarrollBrown) November 14, 2018
The lecturer who is believed to be involved in the incident did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
This article has been updated to include the Eighmy’s comments on the investigations into the incident.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.