Missouri School of Journalism commends photojournalist in viral video
On Tuesday, the dean of the University of Missouri School of Journalism released a statement commending the way fourth-year photojournalism student Tim Tai acted while covering a protest on the campus Monday. After President Tim Wolfe and Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin resigned due to protests concerning their leadership and handling of racially charged situations on campus, Tai went to cover the protest on Carnahan Quad as a freelancer for ESPN. In a video that went viral on Monday, students and faculty of Missouri, including teaching staff from the school of journalism, were seen attempting to deny Tai access to the protesters — even pushing him as a group, linked in a giant circle, walking forward to keep him away. In the statement, Missouri School of Journalism Dean David Kurpius said, “The news media have First Amendment rights to cover public events. Tai handled himself professionally and with poise.” The statement also said Assistant Professor Melissa Click, seen confronting and threatening a video-journalist during the protest, is having her courtesy appointment with the School of Journalism reviewed by faculty members.
—Compiled by Patrick Ingraham, News Editor
Bill passes in Senate to bar transfer of Guantanamo detainees
According to the New York Times and The State, The U.S. Senate gave the final legislative approval to a $607 billion defense policy bill Tuesday after a 91-to-3 vote. The bill bans detainees from Guantanamo Bay detention camp from being transferred to the United States. The policy measure would make President Obama’s promise of closing the detention center more difficult, as now prisoners and detainees cannot be moved to the United States for prosecution or continued detainment in a U.S. prison. Obama vetoed last month’s version of the bill over a spending feud with Republicans.
—Compiled by Patrick Ingraham, News Editor
House of Delegates votes to disband itself
In a 10-0-1 vote, the House of Delegates decided Tuesday to introduce legislation that would strike itself from the Student Government codes permanently. A little-known part of the Student Government codes that was re-introduced in 2013, the House functions, in theory, as a forum for student group leaders to discuss general policy decisions and introduce legislation. In reality, however, the House fell far short of its duties when it was active. It met sporadically since it was recreated two years ago. According to Student Body President Jonathan Kaufman, “Its primary function was to create stress for student government leaders and a time-wasting meeting for those involved.” In its place, Kaufman intends to hold regular meetings of a President’s Leadership Council — an informal collection of some of USC’s student group leaders to discuss issues on campus. In order to finalize the House's decision to disband, the student Senate must first vote on the bill. Benjamin Crawford, the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Gamecock, qualified as a delegate and was present at the meeting. He voted to abstain.
—Written by Ben Crawford, Editor-in-Chief