January 25, 2016

MU communications assistant professor Melissa Click was charged with third-degree assault Jan. 25 in response to her actions on the Concerned Student 1950 campsite Nov. 9.

In [a video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S3yMzEee18) taken and posted online by junior Mark Schierbecker, she called for “muscle” to remove him from the site.

Columbia city prosecutor Steve Richey filed a simple assault charge or class C misdemeanor against Click under Columbia’s [Code of Ordinances](https://www.municode.com/library/mo/columbia/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH16OFMIPR_ARTIICOOF_DIV10OFAGPE_S16-141AS), which is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a possible fine of up to $300.

The claim filed in the Boone County Circuit Court stated the “defendant knowingly caused physical contact with (Schierbecker) knowing (he) would regard the contact as offensive.”

Schierbecker recorded Click confronting reporters and blocking their access to the public campsite on Carnahan Quadrangle, where members of Concerned Student 1950 were celebrating following the resignation of former UM System President Tim Wolfe.

After receiving backlash from the incident, Click released an apology on Nov. 10.

“I regret the language and strategies I used, and sincerely apologize to the MU campus, community, and journalists at large, for my behavior, and also for the way my actions have shifted attention away from the students’ campaign for justice,” Click said in her apology.

Click also resigned both her courtesy position with the Missouri School of Journalism and her position on the MU Student Publications Board.

More than 100 Republican [state legislators](http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/5/missouri-republicans-ask-curators-fire-professor-m/) called for her removal in a Jan. 4 news release, and [multiple petitions](http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/10/petitions-started-remove-two-mu-employees-after-in/) circulating online called for Click’s termination.

Interim Chancellor Hank Foley will hold a press conference regarding Click at 3 p.m. Monday in 105 Jesse Hall.

_Edited by Waverly Colville | wcolville@themaneater.com_

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