By Gregg Keller
The mostly-manufactured “unrest” at the University of Missouri – Columbia campus and the actions of one disgraced professor perfectly illustrate why changes are needed within the University of Missouri System. The newly-created University of Missouri System Review Commission has a tremendous opportunity to recommend significant reforms to improve the standing and operations of the UM System.
The actions of former Professor Melissa Click embarrassed and continue to make the UM System a national laughingstock. The former professor, in an attempt to protect a “safe place” for protestors on taxpayer funded property, trampled on the constitutional rights of a student who was attempting to report on the protests.
As if trampling on his constitutional rights wasn’t bad enough, former professor Click took it a step further and assaulted the student and even called for more “muscle” to get physical with the student journalists she wanted removed from a public campus space. Astoundingly, after the assault, 115 Mizzou faculty members brought more shame to the University by writing a letter supporting Click “in no uncertain terms.”
Arrested and charged with third-degree assault, Professor Click was finally fired for her heinous actions but refuses to go away and accept responsibility. Recently, former Professor Click claimed she was fired because of her race. She was fired for violating a student’s constitutional rights.
If people refuse to honestly identify the problems plaguing college campuses like the University of Missouri, how can we enact real solutions? The Left/Progressives/Liberals believe the answer is to stomp out views and people they do not agree with on college campuses. We believe greater transparency among our state’s public colleges and universities is a critical first step in reforming our institutions of higher education.
The Missouri General Assembly understands reform is needed at the University and adopted State Senator Kurt Schaefer’s Senate Concurrent Resolution to create the University of Missouri System Review Commission. The Commission is charged with making recommendations to improve the UM System’s rules and regulations, the administration, and degree and other university programs. We believe the Commission should carefully study and recommend curriculum transparency requirements.
Curriculum transparency requirements at public colleges and universities in Missouri will help stop those forces who want to limit debate to ensure only their views are acknowledged on college campuses. Curriculum transparency legislation we support would require public colleges and universities in Missouri to make publicly available syllabi, reading lists, attendance requirements, extra credit opportunities and required homework or projects. The legislation would not dictate what professors can or cannot teach, but will ensure taxpayers, parents, and potential students have access to information about what is taught in taxpayer-funded classrooms.
The damage that the institutional Left has done to our University system is substantial and could take decades to recover from. In addition to the trampling of constitutional rights and national embarrassment, resulting tuition declines have cost the System tens of millions of dollars. The University of Missouri System Review Commission has an opportunity to begin the long, hard work of repairing our school’s reputation. We believe implementing curriculum transparency requirements is a vital step towards repairing the UM System’s standing with students, parents, and all Missouri taxpayers.
Gregg Keller is chairman of the Missouri Century Foundation.
