Authorities from the University of Texas at San Antonio are investigating a viral video showing an African-American student being escorted out of a classroom by the police after a professor allegedly reported her for having her feet on a chair.
“So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil,” a Twitter user, who posted a video of the incident on Monday said, adding that the Biology professor Anita Moss had called the officers to escort the student out.
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
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
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
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
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
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
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
Twitter user @FavoritePaigeee identified herself as the student who was escorted out.
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
In a response on the same social media platform, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio said that she and Interim College of Sciences Dean Howard Grimes are investigating the matter.
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
Meanwhile, the president of the university, Taylor Eighmy has 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 colour.
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”
This is how Twitter users are reacting to the alleged incident:
@UTSA, your Professor Anita Moss called the cops on a young black student who had her feet up in her biology class. The student was escorted out of class by police. This professor needs to be disciplined. Black people shouldn’t have to go through this.pic.twitter.com/TlOouHxrYB
— Simar (@sahluwal) November 13, 2018
Black student had cops called on her for putting her feet up on a chair in Biology at a university. ?
Nothing else happened prior, she put her foot up and the white professor called campus cops on her. https://t.co/WshD4d3ndj
— MrsGrapevine ReLaunch (@MrsGrapevine) November 13, 2018
Sitting in class while black.
Now, what these students should have done, en masse, is stood up and walked out right behind the police escort. This ish is ridiculous. https://t.co/gOVSmeo4O3
— Tracie Powell (@TMPowell) November 13, 2018
.@UTSA A student escorted out of class for having her feet on a seat. Because she’s black, I’m sure. Racism alive and well at #UTSA
— Diane M (@dmspeech) November 13, 2018
black student at UTSA gets escorted out of class by POLICE because she had her feet up on her desk. are you kidding me? everyone in the class said she wasnt being disruptive or disrespectful. she just had her feet up. when will people stop calling the cops on black people? #utsa
— big bird? (@lesbivnpoptvrt) November 13, 2018
Let us know when you fire the police officers who removed an innocent student for the crime of being black in class
— 胖美国人? (@biopolitix) November 14, 2018
How did I know the student they’d remove would be Black? #UTSA what’s your response to this ridiculous and needless humiliation?
— Jane Beard (@JaneBIVL) November 13, 2018
A white @UTSA Professor called the Police on a black student for her crime of putting her feet up
Yes, lethal force was called on a Black student b/c the White professor disliked her feet?
POC & White Allies: Record Everything
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) November 13, 2018
Cops acted as if this was @Starbucks. FIRE CAMUS PD IMMEDIATELY. FACTS, took THREE COPS to FORCIBLY remove a black student. I get 2 (partners, but 3?) How many officers would it take to remove a white student? Would the police have even been called if white student?
— Él Capitán Boomin ♕ (@pwrtrip_) November 14, 2018
And…… the student is black. Enough, enough, enough! This professor is out of line, she’s a racist not qualified to teach. #ENOUGH
— SusnB (@susstgr) November 13, 2018
