COLUMBIA, Mo. (CN) - The University of Missouri on Wednesday suspended an assistant professor who was caught on camera appearing to bully a student journalist during campus protests last fall.
Melissa Click, a communication professor, gained national attention last year when a video of her during a student celebration went viral. According to the University's website, Click's current research projects involve "50 Shades of Grey" readers and the impact of social media in fans' relationship with Lady Gaga.
Shortly after the video went viral, David Kurpius, the dean of Missouri's prestigious journalism school went on Twitter to clarify that Click was not a "J-School faculty memeber" and announced that the department had removed Click's courtesy title with the journalism school.
University of Missouri students gathered on Nov. 9 to celebrate the firing of UM System President Timothy M. Wolfe. Students had been protesting Wolfe's alleged indifference to several racial incidents on campus.
He was ousted two days after members of the football team said they would refuse to play if Wolfe was still the president.
The video showed Click blocking student journalists and calling for "muscle" to keep the student reporters from taking photos and videos of the celebration.
In following days a number of legislators and others called for Click's resignation.
UM Board of Curators Chairwoman Pam Henrickson said Wednesday that the board has directed the university's general counsel to investigate whether more discipline is necessary.
Click pleaded not guilty this week to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from the Nov. 9 confrontation.
She is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 16.
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