University of Missouri rejects resignation of professor who urged students to come to class despite threats

After students complained about an email he sent regarding threats made toward campus, University of Missouri Professor Dale Brigham sent in his resignation, but the university refused to accept it, a school spokesperson told KOMU.

The threats were made anonymously on a social media app following the resignation of university President Tim Wolfe and Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin and student protests over the administration's handling of race-related issues. Students said they feared for their safety, with many saying they were uncomfortable being on campus. Brigham, a nutrition and exercise associate professor, sent an email telling students: "If you don't feel safe coming to class, then don't come to class. I will be there, and there will be an exam administered in our class." He also wrote: "If you give into bullies, they win. The only way bullies are defeated is by standing up to them. If we cancel the exam, they win; if we go through with it, they lose."

Some students took to Twitter to complain, and Brigham told KOMU before his resignation was rejected he was "trying to do what I think is best for our students and the university as an institution. If my leaders think that my leaving would help, I am all for it. I made a mistake, and I do not want to cause further harm."

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