COLUMBIA, Mo. – R. Bowen Loften, University of Missouri Chancellor, announced Monday afternoon that he “will transition into a new role focused on research” effective January 1.
Nine deans from different schools at the flagship university sent a letter requesting Loftin’s dismissal.
@bowtieger thank you for what you’ve done for this once fine university. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors. #bowtieger
— Josh Overstreet (@O_Street_) November 9, 2015
The announcement comes hours after University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe announced his immediate resignation as students and legislators started to call for his resignation.
@MSAPresident Sad to see more hate speech hiding behind anonymity. Racism, bias, discrimination have no place here — R. Bowen Loftin (@bowtieger) November 5, 2015
Loftin implemented mandatory sensitivity training for all incoming students after hate crimes persisted on campus.
@bowtieger PLEASE DON’T leave!! Mizzou needs you.
— Renee Windsor (@RenEWin24) November 10, 2015
@BradenKennedy @bowtieger @Mizzou a good and decent man was just sacrificed to sate this out of control mob
— Joe Wallace (@joewallace1) November 10, 2015
@bowtieger You will be missed at Mizzou.
— Mack Kirk (@Mack44) November 9, 2015
Wouldn’t mind @bowtieger as the new UM Prez 👀 He’s seen a lot as Chancellor at MU. & he’s aware that systems of oppression do exist.
— Queen G (@Gabbssz) November 9, 2015
The resignations follow Jonathan Butler’s week-long hunger strike demanding Wolfe resign, an announcement that Mizzou football would not play until Wolfe resigned, and legislators call for Wolfe’s resignation in light of issues with racism on campus. Cries for Loftin’s resignation were no where near as loud as the ones for Wolfe, and many students expressed their disappointment in seeing Loftin, who had emerged as a popular character on campus, go. Calls for Loftin’s resignation primarily lay with speculation that he was responsible for ending the university’s contracts with Planned Parenthood. In fact, Wolfe was speculated to have attempted to use Loftin as a scapegoat more than once – at a Curator’s meeting in October and again this past weekend.
The students liked @bowtieger and I hope they like his replacement. Ultimately, a new era has been awakened at #Mizzou.
— Francis (@smelllikesugar) November 10, 2015
Loftin formerly held research roles as a professor at Rice University and Texas A&M before and continuing his ascension to leadership.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.