Three professors at the University of South Alabama have been suspended after a photo surfaced of the trio at a 2014 costume party celebrating the Confederacy and displaying items symbolizing racial violence, CNN reports.
One of the professors wore a Confederate uniform while the two others held a whip and a noose. The three professors, who all have tenure and were faculty at the University’s Mitchell College of Business, were identified as Bob Wood, Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy.
“The fact that these professors are still currently employed by the University shows a deep failure to commit to a safe, welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds,” an online with more than 3,000 signatures notes. “Racism cannot simply be given a slap on the wrist. It must be addressed as the serious issue it is. We cannot have professors who partake in this kind of behavior.”
University President Tony Waldrop said it undertaken an investigation led by an independent counsel, Suntrease Williams-Maynard, a former trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Mobile, Alabama and a former assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.
“The actions taken in response to these pictures, which were brought to the attention of University leadership in 2020, should have been stronger and broader, and should have more clearly demonstrated our unwavering commitment to a safe and welcoming environment for every member of our community,” Waldrop said in a statement last week. “We acknowledge that, in our response to this incident, we failed in our obligations and responsibilities to our students, our employees and our community. For this, we are deeply sorry to everyone who is rightfully hurt and offended by these images.”
One of the professors noted that the costume was in bad taste, explaining that he rented the Confederate soldier uniform at the last minute.
“Seven years ago, I rented and wore a last-minute costume that was ill-conceived to a faculty and student Halloween costume contest, at which I served on a panel of judges to select the winners,” Wood said. “I sincerely apologize and am sorry for doing so and ask for forgiveness for this error in judgment.”
Another professor said he viewed this as a growing experience. “In retrospect, I can see why someone might find the image hurtful, and I regret this attempt at humor that clearly failed. It was not my intent to hurt or be offensive, and if anyone is offended by this picture I apologize. It was not my intent to offend, and I have learned from this experience,” Sharland said in a statement.