An influential Republican state senator has criticized Ray Cross, president of the University of Wisconsin System, for meeting with student leaders last week to talk about how to improve the climate for minority students, The Wisconsin State Journal reported. Steve Nass, vice chairman of the Senate University and Technical Colleges Committee, issued a press release in which he said Cross shouldn't have held the meeting. "President Cross needs to stop wasting time appeasing the political correctness crowd demanding safe spaces, safe words, universal apologies for hurt feelings and speech/thought police," Nass said in a press release he issued.

A university system spokesman declined to comment on the statement.