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A viral tweet from a University of Texas at San Antonio has resulted in a professor being suspended. A tweet sent out by @ApurvaYRawal show video of police talking to what looks like the professor and then she brings them over to a student. The police talk to the student and then escort the student, a black woman, out of the classroom. The tweet claims that that the professor called the cops on the student because she “had her feet up” in class.
So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil 😬 pic.twitter.com/spq0ShXiFU
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
The student goes on to explain the situation in a thread of tweets. “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,” He tweeted. “Mind you she wasn’t talking or interrupting lecture.”
The university hasn’t officially identified the student or professor but other students have identified the professor as Anita Moss, a biology professor. The school did confirm that the incident happened in a biology 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
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
He went on to explain how the professor “went on a whole tirade” scolding the class because “her ego was bruised.”
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
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
As upset as I am that my professor decided to throw a temper tantrum the lecture before an exam and cancel class, I'm even more outraged that she would decide to single out and humiliate a student just to flex her authority in a destructive manner
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
I chose to attend this university because of it's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, and today's events genuinely make me concerned for not only my fellow students, but any future roadrunners that may choose to attend this institution in the future
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
@UTSA you need to answer for this, because I know we as a university are better than this
— Apurva Rawal (@ApurvaYRawal) November 12, 2018
After going viral, the student identified herself on social media. She confirmed that the professor is Anita Moss and 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! https://t.co/YUZGmwgFa7
— pistachio ☘️ (@FavoritePaigeee) November 12, 2018
In response to the video and misconduct by the professor, the university launched two investigations through their Office of Equal Opportunity Services and 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,” President Taylor Eighmy stated in an update regarding the investigations.
The university concluded that the professor doesn’t have a racial bias or a classroom mismanagement track record and that this incident was isolated. They clearly stated that the student involved didn’t believe that the professor’s actions were racially charged and chose not to “file a formal complaint of discrimination” with the Equal Opportunity Services.
The professor will have to go through mandatory classroom management training and after completing, she will be able to return to the classroom. Once she returns she will still be monitored by the school.
The student thanked her fellow students for sticking up for her and holding their professor accountable.
I seriously can’t thank my class enough for this ♥️ they literally stood up for me after I was escorted out by 3 officers and called her out for being disruptive to them as well this whole semester. Completely overwhelmed and thankful rn
— pistachio ☘️ (@FavoritePaigeee) November 12, 2018
