UC students react to the comments, which were shared on social media for all to see

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT MENTSON SOCIAL MEDIA.STUDENTS ARE STILL TALKING ABOUTWHAT WAS WRITTEN.IT WAS SHOCK AND SURPRISE.MOLLIE: STARTED WHEN ASTUDENT WROTE ABOUT THE SONGWALK ON WATER AS PART OF THEASSIGNMENT.THE STUDENT WROTE I AM A MIDDLEEASTERN MUSLIM FEMALE.DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY HASIMPACTED MY FAMILY, FRIEN ANDI.THIS SONG RESTORES MY FAITH INAMERICA.THE ASSISTANT PROFESSORRESPONDED WITH EIGHT BULLETPOINTS WRITING THAT THE GREATESTTHREAT TO OUR FREEDOM IS NOT OURPRESIDENT, IT IS RADICAL ISLAM.REVIEW THIS LI OF ATTACKS ANDTHEN TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HURTFEELINGS.>> AS A MUSLIM WOMAN, READINGTHOSE COMMENTS WAS HORRIBLE.KNOWING THAT IT CAME FROM APROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY WHOIS SUPPOSED TO BE FACILITATINGHELPFUL DISCUSSION, IT WASAPPALLING FOR ME TO SEE.MIKE: THE UNIVERSITY TAKESSERIOUSLY ALL CONCERNS FORDISCRIMINATORY OR HARASSINGCONDUCT, SAYING THIS MATTER HASBEEN REFERRED TO THE OFFICES OFACADEMIC PERSONNEL, EQUALOPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS AND TITLEIX FOR REVIEW AND RESPONSE.HIS RESPONSES COULD BE SEEN BYEVERYONE IN THE ONLINE CLASS ANDIT HAS CREATED A DISCUSSIONAMONG SEVERAL MINORITY GROUPS ONCAMPUS.IT WAS A LOT MORE HURTFUL TOSEE IT COME FROM A PROFESSOR ANDTO SEE A PROFESSOR FEEL THATTHEY H THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALLOUT AND BELITTLE A STUDENT LIKETHAT.MOLL: HE IS STILL TEACHING

Advertisement Professor's comments on Muslim woman's assignment prompt investigation UC students react to the comments, which were shared on social media for all to see Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A University of Cincinnati music professor is under investigation for comments he made on a Muslim student's assignment. One of his notes reads, "How dare you complain while enjoying our protection." A fellow student shared the comments on social media. That post has since been taken down, but students are still talking about what was written. "Overall, it was just shock and surprise," said Zohabe Bakali, co-president of the UC Muslim Student Association. Muslim students are reacting to harsh words from the professor that were made public. It started when a student wrote about the song "Walk on Water" by 30 Seconds to Mars as part of an online class assignment. According to a screenshot, the student wrote, "I am a Middle Eastern Muslim female therefore Trump's presidency and all the hate he has promoted and encouraged has impacted my family, friends and I. This song restores my faith in America." College Conservatory of Music Assistant Professor Clifford Adams responded with eight bullet points, writing in part, "the greatest threat to our freedom is not the president, it is Radical Islam. Review this list of Islamic terrorist attacks and then tell me about your hurt feelings." Another bullet point started with, "now, about Muslim females." "For me as a Muslim woman, reading those comments was just horrible and to know that it came from a professor at the university who is supposed to be facilitating helpful discussion, it was just appalling for me to see," said Zara Ahmed, co-president of UC's Muslim Student Association. UC spokesman Greg Vehr issued a statement saying the university takes seriously all concerns for discriminatory or harassing conduct. He added the matter has been referred to the university's offices of Academic Personnel, Equal Opportunity and Access and Title IX for review and response. According to students, Adams' responses could be seen by everyone in the online class. It’s created a discussion among several minority groups on campus. "It was a lot more hurtful to see it come from a professor and to see a professor feel that they had the opportunity to call out and belittle a student like that," Ahmed said. Professor Adams has not responded to requests for a comment. He is still teaching the class and the school isn't aware of any other complaints against him. Vehr says the investigation will likely take at least 60 days. Possible appeals and scheduling issues could affect when a decision is made.