Update: Resignation not accepted from MU professor who sent email

COLUMBIA - A University of Missouri spokesperson said the resignation was not accepted from a professor who came under fire for an email he sent to a student after threats against the university surfaced on social media.

MU Nutrition & Exercise associate professor Dale Brigham's email challenges them to come to class, saying "If you give into bullies, they win. The only way bullies are defeated is by standing up to them. If we cancel the exam, they win; if we go through with it, they lose."

Brigham's response upset many students.

Anonymous threats on a social media app directed towards the MU campus Tuesday evening left many students fearing for their safety.

"I am just trying to do what I think is best for our students and the university as an institution," Brigham said to KOMU 8 News. "If my leaders think that my leaving would help, I am all for it. I made a mistake, and I do not want to cause further harm."