Three professors from the University of South Alabama (USA) were put on leave after photos of them dressed in racially insensitive Halloween costumes allegedly appeared.
As ABC News reports, photos of a 2014 Halloween party on campus surfaced last week, showing U.S. finance professor Bob Wood dressed as a Confederate soldier, while professors Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy posed with whips and ties.
US President Tony Waldrop said on Friday that an investigation into the photos will be conducted by attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard, who is a former attorney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and also served as a former attorney. -assistant for the Southern District of Alabama.
“We pledge our full cooperation to Ms. Williams-Maynard in her investigation. The faculty members involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and any related procedures, ”said Waldrop in a statement.
“Together with the leadership of the University, I guarantee that we are taking this situation with the utmost seriousness and with a commitment to act in accordance with the results of the investigation,” added Waldrop. to make the US community one that, with pride and firmness, treats all people with respect and dignity. ”
According to ABC News, American students asked the teachers to resign and organized two protests on Friday. A petition calling for the dismissal of teachers collected more than 2,500 signatures.
Both Wood and Sharland posted apologies on the Inside Higher Ed website, the network noted.
“Seven years ago, I rented and wore a last-minute costume that was poorly designed for a teacher and student Halloween costume contest, in which I participated in a panel of judges to select the winners,” wrote Wood. “I apologize and sincerely regret this, and I apologize for this error of judgment.”
“In retrospect, I can see why someone might find the image painful, and I regret this attempt at humor that clearly failed. It was not my intention to hurt or be offensive, and if anyone is offended by this photo, I apologize, “said Sharland.