COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The latest on the protests and turmoil over racially charged incidents at the University of Missouri. All times local.
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1 p.m.
A former Democratic state lawmaker and former chairman of the University of Missouri’s Board of Curators has defended President Tim Wolfe’s campus leadership.
Student groups and black members of the football team are calling for Wolfe to step down over the way he has handled matters of race and discrimination on the campus, and one black graduate student is on a hunger strike.
Longtime lawmaker Wayne Goode said Wolfe is “one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with.” Goode also said Wolfe has “very strong support on the board,” though he declined to indicate whether he had spoken with anyone on the board or with Wolfe.
Wolfe, 56, is a former software executive and Missouri business school graduate who grew up in Columbia and whose father taught at the university.
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12:15 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says the University of Missouri must address concerns over “racism and intolerance.”
The Democratic governor issued his statement on Sunday, a day after 32 black football players announced they will not participate in team activities until university President Tim Wolfe is removed.
Student groups have protested the way Wolfe has handled matters of race and discrimination on the campus in Columbia, and one black graduate student is on a hunger strike.
Nixon’s statement says the concerns must be dealt with so that the school is “a place where all students can pursue their dreams in an environment of respect, tolerance and inclusion.”
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12:10 p.m.
The verified Twitter account for Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel has posted a picture of the team and coaches locking arms.
It comes a day after 32 black football players announced that they will not participate in team activities until university President Tim Wolfe is removed.
The tweet posted Sunday reads: “The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players. #ConcernedStudent1950 GP”.
Student groups have protested the way Wolfe has handled matters of race and discrimination on the campus in Columbia.
It isn’t clear whether the athletes’ announcement will affect next Saturday’s game at home against BYU.
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