MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — In a letter to students, faculty and staff, University of South Alabama President Tony Waldrop announced immediate changes following a News 5 investigation into photos of three professors who were dressed in racially insensitive costumes. The photos have resurfaced from an October 2014 Halloween on-campus party, showing then-Mitchell College of Business dean Bob Wood dressed as a Confederate general and professors Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy posing with a whip and a noose.
Last week students protested on campus, demanding change and asking that the professors be fired. Following our investigation, the three professors have been placed on leave pending an investigation.
In the message Waldrop says, “I’m writing to update our University community on several steps that have been taken in the last 10 days following photos that surfaced of faculty members at an on-campus costume party wearing and holding symbols that are offensive and hurtful.”
Waldrop says students, faculty and staff will be required to complete diversity training. The statement goes on to say, “we’re also in the process of expanding the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. I’ve asked Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paul Frazier to draft a job description for a new position in education and outreach that we are moving to fill as soon as possible. This will be in addition to diversity coordinators that are being placed in…
