Post-Protest Mizzou: Adverse Consequences of the Capitulation

Pope Center for Higher Education Policy ^ | February 3, 2016 | Thomas A. Lambert

[reaganaut1]

Nearly three months have passed since student protests upended the institution where I teach law, the University of Missouri (Mizzou). There have been several changes on the Columbia campus.

We now have a highly regarded African-American interim president, Michael Middleton, who has a long history at the university. Our interim chancellor seems far more attuned to the campus climate and hosts weekly “chats with the chancellor” to foster a more open atmosphere. On the surface, things seem to have returned to normal or perhaps even improved.

Recent trends, however, suggest that post-protest Mizzou is likely to experience three adverse developments.

First, a great university needs well-qualified students and the financial resources to hire and retain top faculty. Capitulating to the protesters has impaired Mizzou’s ability to secure both.

Not surprisingly, applications are down significantly. According to a leaked internal memorandum, undergraduate applications for the 2016-17 term dropped by five percent from the previous year. Graduate applications fell a whopping 19 percent.

In particular, applications from students with high ACT scores (30 or above) were down 7.7 percent, and the number of African-American applicants plummeted by 19 percent.

While numerous factors affect application numbers from year to year, it’s hard to believe that last fall’s widely publicized protests aren’t largely to blame for the decline.

With fewer applicants to choose from, particularly at the top end, Mizzou’s incoming class is almost sure to be less qualified than its predecessor.

The application numbers also portend financial difficulties for the university. The drop in undergraduate applications was entirely from out-of-state applicants. A substantial reduction in out-of-state students, who pay much more in tuition than do Missouri residents, will impair the university’s financing.

[the_individual2014]

Who cares, screw Mizzou.

[headstamp 2]

They’ll basically be a 13th grade public school.

[USNBandit]

Wonder what is happening to alumni contributions?

[AppyPappy]

“Wonder what is happening to alumni contributions?”

Everything is going to be down. They will lose good professors and have trouble hiring new ones.

[Sgt_Schultze]

There’s only one clear course of action - raise tuition.

[Salvey]

There's only one clear course of action - raise tuition.

A novel idea that's never been tried before.

[detch]

I am a Mizzou graduate.

Asst-professor Melissa Click, still at the university, was not mentioned in the article, should have resigned, or forced to resign.

Click was suspended (but not forced to resign although the university president and chancellor were) pending investigation two days after City Prosecutor Steve Richey filed a misdemeanor assault charge against her. The charges were related to Click's actions on Nov. 9 when she was recorded calling for "some muscle" to remove journalists from the Mel Carnahan Quadrangle (on national tv, no less).

Remove journalists!!!

Mizzou used to have a good football team, basketball team and was a baseball powerhouse, and HAD a top-notch journalism school. Good luck with that going forward chumps.

They can do without my support, financially and otherwise.

[dandiegirl]

No way would I send a student there. I was surprised however that black enrollment was down so much. I thought it would be sky high given the capitulations by the president.

[FredZarguna]

In particular, applications from students with high ACT scores (30 or above) were down 7.7 percent, and the number of African-American applicants plummeted by 19 percent.

Probably not the same cohort...

[A_Former_Democrat]

Those are likely down too.

“Highly regarded” Middleton is a racist who’s been affirmative action’d his entire life. Never had a real job. He’s also been accused of unduly influencing choices of black head coaches, which is further indication of his racism. Both of which eventually moved on, as should Middleton

[A_Former_Democrat]

Proof positive that this was all a political, racial hoax.

Not only has Click not been fired, but the allegations of being called ‘”nigger” many times by fellow faculty at the J-School by Prof Cynthia Frist were NEVER investigated, let alone reported by anyone to confirm or challenge her accusations.

Lies, lies and more lies, and no one raises a hand to discipline/fire Frist or follow up on any other the other allegations, once Middleton was appointed.

Mizzou is reaping what it sows. Oh yeah, LAST place in SEC football recruiting too.

[redpoll]

>>>...but the allegations of being called ‘”nigger” many times by fellow faculty at the J-School by Prof Cynthia Frist were NEVER investigated, let alone reported by anyone to confirm or challenge her accusations.<<<

I went to a conference at the Mizzou school of communications two summers ago and attended a workshop headed by Prof. Frist. She was a string of cliches bound together by a faulty premise. Since I’m from Alaska, I asked a whole series of questions about Native Alaskans, and her answers were vague and empty. Nevertheless, she was applauded. You know why.

[RitaOK]

I believe Click was finally dismissed. After her suspension, there was a report that she was fired. Don’t know about her hubby, who was there also.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Her allegations were outrageous and that they were not investigated tells all

But of course she won’t herself be investigated or God forbid, fired. Like Middleton, an Affirmative Action Jackson if there ever was one

[blam]

"With fewer applicants to choose from, particularly at the top end, Mizzou’s incoming class is almost sure to be less qualified than its predecessor. "

This is always the way politically correct 'diversity' is attained. Lower the standards.

[depressed in 06]

I have long wondered why anyone would hire an Ivy League graduate, since, the hardest thing they did was get admitted. Now, Mizzou is basically a diploma mill for the incompetent.