Rep. Dean Dohrman, a Republican, represents Johnson, Pettis, and Saline counties (District 51). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012. In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Dohrman is an online professor. Rep. Dohrman is a member of Warrensburg and Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sedalia Lions Club. He attends Wesley United Methodist Church. A graduate of LaMonte High, Rep. Dohrman earned his PhD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004. Born in Warrensburg, Rep. Dohrman currently lives in LaMonte.

Upheaval at Mizzou

Posted Monday, November 16, 2015, at 1:59 PM

I hope you had a chance to attend Veterans Day ceremonies yesterday. If not, there are still some opportunities available this week. This week and every week, show veterans you appreciate their service.

This week I have only one topic because it has evolved into an explosive national story.

Upheaval at Mizzou
By now, I am certain you have heard about the protests and resignations at the University of Missouri at the home campus in Columbia. These proved to be very fast and confusing events with details continually being revealed. However, I will attempt to relate the facts that are verifiable at this time to give some perspective on the issue.

First, at the center of the protests was a group calling itself Concerned Student 1950, the 1950 being a reference to the first year black students attended UMC. Some of these students stopped system president Tim Wolfe's car at the homecoming parade in October. The students protested against racial discrimination and intimidating activities on campus. They were eventually removed by law enforcement. In late October and early November, the situation quickly spiraled to a crisis. The group published a list of demands as listed below:

~We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1950 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned student 1950 demands. We want Tim Wolfe to admit to his gross negligence, allowing his driver to hit one of the demonstrators, consenting to the physical violence of bystanders, and lastly refusing to intervene when Columbia Police Department used excessive force with demonstrators.

We demand the immediate removal of Tim Wolfe as UM system president. After his removal a new amendment to UM system policies must be established to have all future UM system president and Chancellor positions be selected by a collective of students, staff, and faculty of diverse backgrounds.

We demand that the University of Missouri meets the Legion of Black Collegians' demands that were presented in 1969 for the betterment of the black community.

We demand that the University of Missouri creates and enforces comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum throughout all campus departments and units, mandatory for all students, faculty, staff, and administration. This curriculum must be vetted, maintained, and overseen by a board comprised of students, staff, and faculty of color.

We demand that by the academic year 2017-2018, the University of Missouri increases the percentage of black faculty and staff campus-wide to 10%.

We demand that the University of Missouri composes a strategic 10 year plan by May 1, 2016 that will increase retention rates for marginalized students, sustain diversity curriculum and training, and promote a more safe and inclusive campus.

We demand that the University of Missouri increases funding and resources for the University of Missouri Counseling Center for the purpose of hiring additional mental health professionals; particularly those of color, boosting mental health outreach and programming across campus, increasing campus-wide awareness and visibility of the counseling center, and reducing lengthy wait times for prospective clients.

We demand that the University of Missouri increases funding, resources, and personnel for the social justices centers on campus for the purpose of hiring additional professionals, particularly those of color, boosting outreach and programming across campus, and increasing campus-wide awareness and visibility.

On November 2, Jonathon Butler, a graduate student from Nebraska, went on a hunger strike until President Wolfe resigned. The football team joined the protest over the weekend and Head Coach Gary Pinkel backed the protesting players. The basketball team continued to practice. Faculty joined the protests and nine deans signed a letter seeking the resignation of Columbia Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin. On Monday morning, Tim Wolfe resigned as president effective immediately. Later in the day, Chancellor Loftin also resigned, but to be effective at a later date. With these resignations, Missourinet is now reporting that Concerned Student 1950 is demanding a meeting with Governor Nixon.

There are many more events coming to light after the incident:

-- Missouri Student Association President Payton Head tweeted that the KKK was active on campus, but later admitted this to be erroneous.

-- A student at the Rolla campus has been arrested for making threats against black students.

-- Concerned Student 1950 supported Jonathon Butler in his hunger strike. This group, which demanded that President Wolfe admit to his privileged background, is the son of a railroad vice president with a net worth of approximately $20 million.

-- Two professors have resigned: one, a communications professor, tried to block a photographer from taking pictures of the protestors, and one who wished to schedule an exam on Wednesday.

-- The Columbia Tribune reports that the University Board of Curators is poised to name a new interim president as soon as today.

There are still many questions to be answered in this incident. Below I have listed several sources if you would like to learn more about the unrest at the campus. I will keep you informed of future events.

http://www.kmbc.com/blob/view/-/36332870/data/1/-/202nsaz/-/-PDF-Concerned-Stude...

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/former-mizzou-lb-boycott-player...

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14087454/missouri-tigers-player-s...

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article44174...

http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/is-the-entire-miz...

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/11/dale-brigham-university-of-missour...

http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/5/concerned-student-1950-organizers-a...

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/joe-holleman/mizzou-hunger-strike-fig...

http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/11/11/mizzou-student-body-president-admits-to-s...

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/10/us/missouri-football-players-protest-presidents-re...

http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/10/mupd-increases-security-following-...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/mizzou-professor-resigns-holding-exam-t...

http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/is-the-entire-miz...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/11/some-at-u-of-missouri-on-edge-afte...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/11/09/justice-is-worth-f...

http://www.inquisitr.com/2560604/mizzou-hunger-striker-jonathan-butler-reportedl...

It is an honor to serve the 51st District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Each week I will issue a capitol report to keep you informed of activities in Jefferson City. Any concerns or issues you might have are of great interest to me. I look forward to your input and thoughts, so please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns, or ideas to improve our state government and the quality of life for all Missourians. My telephone number is 573-751-2204 or you may contact me by email at dean.dohrman@house.mo.gov. Thank you for working with me to make Missouri a great place to live.