A number of state and national politicians released statements Monday in response to former UM System President Tim Wolfe's resignation.
Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said in a statement that it “was the right decision” for Wolfe to step down. She said she is “confident that my alma mater will work to create a community of acceptance and equality.”
Gov. Jay Nixon said Wolfe’s resignation was “a necessary step toward healing and reconciliation” for the MU campus; but he said, “There is more work to do, and now the University of Missouri must move forward.”
Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander acknowledged in a statement that it will take time to find a new system president, but Kander said steps “need to be taken in the next couple of months to rectify this troubling situation now.”
Senator Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said in a statement he hopes the UM system will “have an open meaningful dialogue” that will become an example for other campuses and communities.
State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, said in a statement today the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus was “disheartened that administrators were slow in treating this issue.”
Ellington ended the statement saying, “It is the solemn duty of everyone in a position of authority to identity and eradicate racial injustice.”
In a letter, University of Missouri-Kansas City administrators emphasized the necessity for the system to be unified following Wolfe’s resignation. UMKC administrators said they hoped the system will use this as an opportunity for dialogue and for students to “understand that they are a valued part of the university community.”
Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., said in a statement it was “unfortunate that things have gotten to this point, but this highlights a larger issue at hand – racism – not just one person’s handling of a situation.” Hartzler said she hopes students can “build a supportive environment” that benefits the whole system.
