White professor calls cops on black university student for putting her feet on chair during class

[left-of-center2012]

A white college professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio called the police on a black student and had her escorted out of class because she didn’t like how she was sitting, reports SBG San Antonio.

In video shared to Twitter, Biology professor Anita Moss shows two police officers where the student is sitting so that they can escort her out of class.

“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,” the person who posted the video wrote. “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.”

A Twitter user who identified herself as the victim of the apparent action pointed out that she didn’t violate the student code of conduct.

“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!” she tweeted.

Link to tweet

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1062062118634209286&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawstory.com%2F2018%2F11%2Fwhite-professor-calls-cops-black-university-student-putting-feet-chair-class%2F

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/11/white-professor-calls-cops-black-university-student-putting-feet-chair-class/

[dawg day]

1. As a white woman, I have to wonder-- what is it with all these white women?

Almost all of these "police calls" are by white women-- and from all over the spectrum-- not just typical Trumpians, but an executive, now a college professor.
I think when a couple are sent a $10K bill for wasting police time, and sued by the victim for false report, maybe they'll start thinking that the police aren't their lackeys meant to enforce their outrage.

[edhopper]

2. I did the census in 2010

the angriest people by far were middle ages white women. Several threatened to call the police.
I told them to go ahead, since the the census is protected by law.

[Mosby]

23. I was a field enumerator many census ago

I did call the cops on one guy who kept slamming the door in my face.

I could barely conceal my glee when the officer ripped into the jerk for like 5 minutes.

[edhopper]

25. The nicest people

were usually immigrants. But older white women....AARRRGGGHHH!!!!

[The Genealogist]

29. I worked on the 2010 census too

I was offered the more lucrative field supervisor position but took a lower office position because there are lots of gun kooks in my area. The stories of hateful people and of guns being pulled on ennumerators made me glad I did.

[edhopper]

31. luckily

in NYC we don't have those concerns.

[The Genealogist]

32. I'm in the Ozarks.

There are a lot of areas that are what my partner's aunt called "The booger woods." Lots of places I wouldn't go because I don't want to be an unwilling participant in someone's reenactment of Deliverance. Not all of the area is like that but there are plenty of scary people around here.

[edhopper]

33. I went into some dicey neighborhoods

in New York. But I wouldn't go into those areas either.

[Tipperary]

37. Did you forget the women in NYC that did the same type thing?

Or did you just forget the sarcasm emoji?

[edhopper]

39. yes

tongue in cheek.

[malthaussen]

9. I agree with that.

These frivolous wastings of police time should have consequences. Not quite as bad as filing a false report, but the police have better things to do. And it gives the police an excuse to rough up or otherwise intimidate citizens, which is not a good idea at all.

-- Mal

[uponit7771]

21. +1, I'm thinking miss used of 911

[Le Gaucher]

3. Sorry - I am with the professor here .. The student has no business putting feet up. Classrooms are

places of learning. I detest students who think its ok to eat/ sleep/ chat with friends or do anything to attract negative attention.

Somethings aren't about race.

Sorry



On Edit: I assume the student was given fair warning. Police should have only been called if the student was defiant.

[RKP5637]

7. I was at the university for years, I never saw this happening, but that was a long time ago.

If the student were defiant, I could see it escalating, but to just call the police, I think that's over the top.

[MrGrieves]

13. Wait.... you are for calling the cops?

You are for calling the cops and wasting their time and energy for a person putting their feet up a chair?

You cannot be serious. Even if the student was given a warning calling the cops? This seems to be a much LARGER distraction to the course than a person putting their feet up on a chair. Hey look my nose is on the floor!

[Le Gaucher]

16. No Iam not.

But I find it very hard to deal with students who come with attitude

[d_r]

58. I am sure

that this is university police

[obamanut2012]

77. So? University PD are actual cops

[Hekate]

85. University of California has actual police officers. At my campus their training emphasized...

...student psychology, and there was a bicycle patrol in the nearby low income/ student enclave, which was extremely densely populated. Campus cops were a branch of the local PD. The year I worked in their office I was fairly impressed with their professionalism -- so I was shocked at some of the incidents reported at (for instance) Berkeley.

[fescuerescue]

26. It does seem pretty disrespectful

I feel like we are missing some of the story here.

[haele]

35. I've got a bad back and limited sensation in my right leg.

I've always got my right foot on something that elevates it just so I can get up and walk out of class without five minutes of trying to get feeling back.

Some people do need to elevate their feet, especially if they've been sitting in several classes way too long during the day.

Haele

[fescuerescue]

40. I'm sorry to hear that

Hope that gets better for you.

Your example is a good of one of where there is more to the story.

As I suggested in my post. I feel like we don't have enough information on this particular case (the OP's). Maybe this college student has a bad back too. Or maybe she was just being an ass and the teacher got sick of dealing with her.

We just don't know.

[jcgoldie]

42. Its an ridiculous overreaction regardless of the rest of the story

I'm a teacher in high school and deal with some knucklehead kids every day. Yes sometimes you lose your cool, everybody does. But calling the cops because you don't like how someone is sitting is just ridiculous. Get over your authoritarian self.

[fescuerescue]

67. Could be

I suspect however, that if this teacher is calling the cops everyday or often on minor behavior issues, that it will be corrected. Either by the school or by the police.

If on the other hand, it's an isolated incident, then it might be an isolated for a reason.

All we can do in the lack of information, is to project and speculate.

[Coventina]

41. Issues like that are usually taken care of in the first week of classes.

Accommodations are made all the time for students with any kind of disabilities.

That's not a problem.

[zipplewrath]

30. Calling campus police?

In my day the professor would have just contacted the dean and had me removed from the class. The dean might have thrown me off campus. The cops????

[Le Gaucher]

34. I would never call the police. Any professor worth his/her salt would command enough

respect from students atleast to throw the student out of the class.

But there are a few students who come to class with tons of attitude and sense of entitlement rather than a frame of mind to learn new things. They feel they have nothing to learn and just want the fucking degree and feel they should get it because they are paying for it.

They see themselves as customers and teachers as salesmen. They are disrespectful and play mind games.

Teachers, especially adjuncts depend on the reviews they get on SIR II surveys for renewal of contracts.

[zipplewrath]

36. Canceled class

I had a professor that had to end lecture about 20 minutes early one Friday. The students expressed some joy over that.

He said, "An education is the only thing people are willing to pay for, and not receive".

Generally, the types of students you describe don't last long.

[Le Gaucher]

38. Adjuncts are the dark underbelly of the university system.

My wife puts in 100/week or more ..


But between the management that doesnt give a damn about learning outcomes ( Their Official Mantra is " Retention Retention Retention" ) and a small set of student like I described above..my wife is this close to calling it quits

[LiberalFighter]

61. Easy solution for those with poor attitude and sense of entitlement

When they don't do the work. They don't get the grade they think they deserve.

[LiberalFighter]

60. That is my thought. Too many overescalate.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

56. Sweet Christ. Calling the police is not an acceptable response to defiance from a student.

[Demsrule86]

64. There was no defiance ...she never said a word to the student...sound like racism to me.

[LiberalFighter]

59. You don't call the cops for something like that. You refer the matter to the Dean

or whoever is responsible on campus for students.

That professor should be fired.

[RobinA]

73. There's A Woman

right behind the video taker with a spread of food! That's just wrong.

Get off my lawn!!!

[Codeine]

78. The position of a student's feet

had absolutely nothing to do with their ability to learn.

[Le Gaucher]

80. Why dont you try talking to your Boss or your CEO with your feet on your desk

It is FUCKING disrespectful !!!

[Codeine]

81. Students aren't being paid by their instructors

Indeed, they’re paying to be there. And I fail to see how putting one’s feet up implies or expresses a lack of respect.

[vlyons]

4. Why didn't the professor simply ask the student

to not put her feet on the chair, as in "Please don't put your feet on the chair, where another person in the next class may sit?"

How hard would that be?

[ProudLib72]

15. Aha! A reasonable idea!

However we need to consider that the professor was:

1. Afraid of black people
2. Resorting to passive aggressive behavior instead of direct confrontation

It shows very poor classroom management skills among other things.

[Hortensis]

24. We don't know what happened. That's why investigation.

Naturally, I looked at the info available to see what was said, and whether the prof did is an open question.

[malthaussen]

5. Didn't know that was a criminal offense.

The police should have laughed and told the professor to take control of her own classroom.

-- Mal

[MineralMan]

6. Wow! In my day, which was a long time ago, the rest

of the class would have walked out with that student. But, that was way back in the late 1960s. I guess things have changed...

[RKP5637]

10. Yep, same here! Well, and also a long time ago in the 60's. n/t

[MineralMan]

14. I can't really imagine any of my college professors calling

the Keystone Kampus Kops to do anything like that, anyhow. Feet on a seat? Really? Who cares? Not the next student to sit in that seat. I do not ever remember looking at a seat to see if it was clean. I sat down. My jeans weren't pristine, I'm sure, and someone else's ass was occupying that seat before I sat on it. Feet? Ass? I'll take feet for $100.

[RKP5637]

19. LOL! "I'll take feet for $100." n/t

[grantcart]

27. Except the teachers were as hip as the students

It would have been difficult to walk out of a lot of my classes because if the weather was good the class be outside on the grass.

That was the 70s

[MineralMan]

28. Well, that's true, too. At least in the English Department

at my California state university.

[TheBlackAdder]

63. Just finished a degree at Rutgers. The professor requires training to manage the classroom.

[Journeyman]

8. Well, there's an instructor who's lost all control of her class . . .

If simple disciplinary enforcement eludes someone's capabilities, they've no business trying to teach at any level.

[malthaussen]

12. +1

[JCMach1]

65. This is the correct answer... As a college prof, if you are so incompetent you can't deal with a

tiny (if that big) disciplinary issue, you have no business teaching.

And, you never, ever single a student out that is a complete overreaction to the issue and MAY be racist at its core.

[allgood33]

11. Was she hoping that the police would shoot her? WTF?

[jberryhill]

17. Nice seats

Is that normal lecture hall seating now?

[MaryMagdaline]

18. Public college? There's a due process violation here

I don't know what's more upsetting ... the violation of this student's civil rights or the smirky faces of the students sitting on their asses when a fellow student is abused under color of law. Americans need to step it up.

[Thomas Hurt]

20. Why doesn't this professor have control of her own classroom?

You have student acting up, being rude.

don't professors have the power to cut students from their courses.

[DFW]

22. Remember the present day Texas Republican definition of "control" of a classroom

These days, it means taking out a loaded pistol and standing her ground by blasting a hole in the offending student's leg.

[Coventina]

44. You would be surprised. We professors are not allowed to confront students on anything.

I'm kind of surprised this teacher even bothered.

We've been told we need to cater to the students and keep them in the seats by any means necessary.

I've given up trying to make students do anything.

I'd maybe ask a student to not put their feet up, but if they refused, I'd sigh and just move on.

[GaYellowDawg]

83. That's true.

In my state, funding used to be based on enrollment at the beginning of the semester. Now it’s based on enrollment at the end, which means that when students drop classes too much, funding is reduced. Colleges and universities place much more severe limits on dropping classes, but we are still directed to retain as many students as possible. Keep them happy.

Nevertheless, I think this professor really screwed up. I teach biology, both for majors and nonmajors, and anatomy & physiology. My discipline has higher fail/drop rates than most. It can be hugely frustrating to teach a class that I have a passion for and see apathy and a refusal to engage with the material. What I do is to teach to the good ones and not worry about the ones who don’t care. The only time I confront students is when they are being distracting to other students. And I don’t go on a tirade. I’ll just say something like, “I really need to be the only one talking right now” or “I need you to lock down for a little bit and focus on this point.” Then I ask the student after class and tell him/her that they were distracting another student and that can’t happen again.

Large scale confrontation never works out. You lose classes permanently for that. Calling security on a student for putting her feet up? Humiliating a student like that is something that will follow that prof for years. I wouldn’t call security unless a student was being so disruptive that I had to ask them to leave and they wouldn’t, or unless they looked like they were get violent. I see students getting on their phones and sometimes I’ll ask them a question. And then grin at them and say, “maybe your friend can text you the answer?” Usually good for a laugh and tone of voice and expression can take a lot of sting out of it. Basically, I discipline by teasing, and can get away with it because I make it clear to classes from the outset that I care and I’m prepared to like them.

With the caveat that I don’t know her and could be completely wrong, she sounds like a research professor who doesn’t particularly like to teach. She sounds like the type who is insecure in that setting and is at least a little scared of her students, and therefore overreacts.

[Demsrule86]

45. Putting her feet on a desk in front of her is not rude in my opinion...done the same thing ...bio

lectures are long...Professor is a raging bigot and needs to be fired.

[Jersey Devil]

43. Don't know if attendance is required or not, but

it seems to me that if attendance is required, the professor could have taken care of this by announcing that anyone with their feet on another seat would be marked as absent for the day. That, or something like it, would have been a much better way to handle it.

[Coventina]

46. I do a variation on this in my own classes.

"Attendance" means arriving on time, not leaving early, not wandering in and out of the classroom, not sleeping, not chatting, not playing with your cell phone, and not wearing ear buds or headphones.

I explain this in detail on the first day of class, and it's made explicit in the syllabus.

Still, every semester, I have people fail the course because of these behaviors.

[Demsrule86]

48. Personally, I separate grades and behavior. I feel that is wrong. If a person passes the course

he/she should pass period...discipline should be not be a criteria as often it amounts to a popularity contest...those students one likes fare better than others. I believe in the numbers period where grading is concerned. It is math. I taught High School and college and never had an issue.

[Coventina]

50. I do experience-based learning in my classroom. I don't give exams.

So, participation and paying attention are crucial.

If you are sleeping or playing on your cell phone, or not in the classroom, you are not learning.

That's how it works in my classroom.

[Demsrule86]

53. I teach calculus and Chemistry...and computers as applied to math and science.

I absolutely don't care for experience based learning...don't mean to offend. I don't believe in it...again...way to subjective in my view.

[Coventina]

54. Well, that's your choice and your opinion.

There are many, many studies that show the effectiveness of active learning, and it has worked well for me and my students.

It's a relatively small percentage that don't quickly get enthusiastic about that approach.

[Demsrule86]

66. I have taught math students who could not take a test...I feel testing will be used in college

thus children must be trained to take a test without panic. I have seen many students who understood the concept but could not pass a calculus test. Some never learned their multiplication tables if you can believe it. Now, they give tests in most colleges in math, and you must take non-credit courses until you reach a certain threshold. I also had a child who did not learn division...she learned some convoluted way that was taught...took way to much time. I taught her division before Algebra III ...Just my opinion that testing is essential in the current environment. Of course, I do believe that testing has way to much emphasis these days...but it is our reality. We can agree to disagree on this matter. Cheers.

[Coventina]

74. Well, our college district got rid of testing for admissions, so clearly many disagree with

you.

GPA from high school (if the student has graduated or attended in the last 10 years) is what is used to place students in English and Math.

If the student graduated or attended high school more than a decade ago, then the Accuplacer is still used.

[Demsrule86]

75. I would have to see which kids could go on to higher math...I do not like all the

testing we have now but you need some....and college district? What is that. In our area kids go on to many different colleges.

[Coventina]

76. We are a district of 10 colleges run by the county.

We are individually accredited, but administered by one centralized office through the county government.

[Demsrule86]

47. This is college not high school...I think that is ridiculous.

How about she gets out of her job as she is more interested in causing trouble than in teaching.

[Jersey Devil]

49. Are you saying a teacher cannot maintain decorum in his/her classroom?

The students should be able to do whatever they want? Are you serious?

[Demsrule86]

68. I am saying the teacher should teach biology. She is not their Mommy ....sounds like racism to me...

never says a word and then calls the cops...she should be fired immediately. As a teacher. I pick my battles. You can spend hours attempting to 'maintain' your version of decorum or you can teach your subject...and in college. I consider the teacher's behavior ridiculous. I don't take attendance when I teach college course as those who don't come will fail...their choice. They are young adults not in high school. I warn them in the beginning how important it is to come and do homework (counts as a test if it benefits them-don't count it if it brings the final grade down).

[Jersey Devil]

72. ok

I agree the teacher's reaction was over the top. I was simply suggesting that other, less drastic steps, could have been taken. If it works for you then your version of how to do it is fine, but I think if you get a really rowdy group sometimes you have to do a little more to be fair to the other students present so their attention is not diverted.

[dalton99a]

51. FWIW Texas still allows schools to use corporal punishment

[Coventina]

52. I rather doubt that applies to college students.

[Demsrule86]

69. In college? I doubt that because it would be considered assault.

[ananda]

55. imho -- Much ado about nothing.

Feet on a seat? Really?

Heaven forfend!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

57. This professor needs to learn about battles and how to pick them. Oh, a little crash course in the

racist history of the police and a quick overview of how her actions help uphold white supremacy wouldn't hurt, either.

[BumRushDaShow]

62. Here is an update - the lecturer is no longer teaching this class and the student is back

In a letter sent to students on Tuesday, the university’s president, Taylor Eighmy, said initial reactions indicated that “feelings of marginalization on the part of some students ― especially our African American students ― are real and profound.”

Two separate investigations are being carried out in relation to the matter, including “one on potential discrimination” and “the other on classroom management.”

“For the best interest of all involved, the faculty member’s classes will be taught by another faculty member for the remainder of the semester,” he wrote. “The student involved in the incident has been welcomed back to class and offered support services.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/utsa-texas-university-black-student-white-professor-cops_us_5beb9582e4b044bbb1aa1031

Here is the UTSA letter sent to students via email -

President Eighmy provides update addressing classroom incident

Editor's Note: UTSA President Taylor Eighmy sent this email to UTSA students further updating them on Monday's classroom incident.

(Nov. 13, 2018) -- Dear Roadrunners,

I am writing to provide an update regarding yesterday’s classroom incident and address some of the specific questions and concerns you may have.

We are currently conducting two separate investigations into the matter, one on potential discrimination (conducted by our Office of Equal Opportunity Services) and the other on classroom management (conducted through the Provost’s Office by Interim Dean Grimes in the College of Sciences). Provost Espy and I are committed to ensuring an equitable process for both the student and faculty member. Interim Dean Grimes and our EOS office are working quickly and diligently to gather the facts, and both the student and the faculty member have met separately with those conducting the investigations.

For the best interest of all involved, the faculty member’s classes will be taught by another faculty member for the remainder of the semester. Her students have been informed. The student involved in the incident has been welcomed back to class and offered support services. Once the two investigations are complete next week, appropriate administrative action will be determined.

No matter the outcome of the investigations, the incident shows issues that extend far beyond the events of yesterday. The reactions expressed through social media, emails, phone calls and group meetings I’ve attended confirm that feelings of marginalization on the part of some students—especially our African American students—are real and profound.

The bottom line: regardless of the final outcomes regarding yesterday’s incident, we have an obligation as an institution to take a hard look at our campus climate—especially for students of color—and enact systemic change to make UTSA a more inclusive campus.

Here are my commitments to you, as your president:

We will re-double our efforts to examine how our students from underrepresented groups are treated inside and outside the classroom. We need a fuller understanding and process for reviewing incidents of hostility, discrimination or disrespect, and I will be working with Provost Espy to put those in place. Soon we will release the results of our student diversity survey administered last spring which gives further insights into areas where we are doing well, and areas needing improvement here at UTSA.

We will place a greater emphasis on safe reporting. You may not realize that you can report classroom incidents and concerns safely through our Office of Equal Opportunity Services or UTSA’s Hotline. We will be looking at ways to raise awareness around safe reporting among our students so we can investigate and address issues of discrimination in our classrooms.

We need more faculty, staff and administrators of color on our campus. Provost Espy is working with each of the Deans to accelerate our efforts to increase the diversity of our faculty, and we have set goals to measure our progress. Vice President Anderson will be leading a new initiative focused on this effort to launch this spring. To be successful, this work must permeate every corner of our institution as one of our highest priorities. Our faculty and leadership must reflect the UTSA student community they serve.

I expect to be held accountable in these matters, and expect the same from the entire campus community. I promise to keep you updated both on the outcomes of yesterday’s incident, as well as the broader issues surrounding UTSA’s inclusivity.

Thanks to those of you who have shared your thoughts and concerns with me, and for the genuine care you have for each other and for UTSA.

With appreciation,


Taylor Eighmy

https://www.utsa.edu/today/2018/11/story/EighmyMessage.html

[Demsrule86]

70. Excellent...she hopefully will never 'teach' a class again.

[Demovictory9]

79. good

[onetexan]

71. Absolutely disgusting!!

A couple of my kids are graduates of the UT system (not UTSA specifically but other campuses) and they've not seen anything like this. Very disappointing. I'm glad the school dealt with this bigot as they needed to. She is a disgrace to the teaching profession.

[LuckyCharms]

82. Jesus Christ. The professor handled this poorly.

Within reason, a professor does have the "right" to run the lecture in a manner that she/he deems fit.

All she had to do is smile and say to the student..."Excuse me, please do not put your feet on the chair in front of you. It is distracting to me, and it is unkind to the student who has to sit in that chair next time".

If the student refused, then the professor could say something like "Well, I am not going to continue until you take your feet off the chair. It is now up to you to explain to everyone else in this lecture hall why you are not removing your feet from the chair".

The professor lost control of her lecture as soon as she resorted to calling the cops over something that she should have handled herself.

[Horse with no Name]

84. I work for the University of Texas

I don’t imagine this will stand with the Board of Regents.
It is a very inclusive organization that doesn’t tolerate even the hint of racism.