Mizzou faculty voices support for embattled professor

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- University of Missouri faculty members have come out in support of a University of Missouri assistant communications professor who drew criticism for trying to stop a photographer from taking pictures during campus protests in November.

The Kansas City Star reported the faculty Tuesday made public a letter of support that had been sent in December to university leadership after more than 100 Republican Missouri lawmakers called for Melissa Click's firing earlier this week.

"One of our main concerns in writing is to uphold the University's standard procedures for evaluating faculty performance and conduct," said Andrew Hoberek, an English professor.

"These procedures rely on a range of material that goes beyond that presented in either letter. As our signatures attest, we do believe that our respect for Professor Click and her work is supported by her record," he said.

Click garnered national attention after she confronted a student photographer.

The photographer was filming after the university system's president and the Columbia campus' chancellor resigned amid protests over what some saw as indifference to racial issues.

She already has resigned a courtesy appointment at the school's school of journalism, but Republican lawmakers want her dismissed from the university.

Instead of promoting a safe and stable learning environment, Click's actions "served to inflame an already caustic situation that was clearly out of line," the group of lawmakers wrote Monday.

Click did not respond to messages and a call to her office.

A Mizzou representative said university administrators were not commenting, referring to the matter as a personnel issue.