A University of Missouri Professor caught on video calling for “some muscle” to keep a student journalist away from demonstrators during campus protests last fall has been suspended.

MU Assistant Professor Melissa Click seemed to be instructing students and protesters to block reporters attempting to access protesters’ campsite on public ground. (photo from video by Mark Schierbecker)

MU Assistant Professor Melissa Click seemed to be instructing students and protesters to block reporters attempting to access protesters’ campsite on public ground. (photo from video by Mark Schierbecker)

Pam Henrickson, chair of the UM Board of Curators, issued the following statement at the conclusion of tonight’s special board meeting saying Melissa Click is suspended pending further investigation.

“The Board of Curators directs the General Counsel, or outside counsel selected by General Counsel, to immediately conduct an investigation and collaborate with the city attorney and promptly report back to the Board so it may determine whether additional discipline is appropriate,” said Henrickson.

Click was charged Monday with third degree assault for the November incident during anti-racism protests on campus.

More than 100 lawmakers and a Curator have called for Click’s removal, but more than 100 Mizzou faculty members have written a letter in support of Click.

Just hours after Click was charged with assault, Interim Chancellor Hank Foley said Click’s tenure status must be determined before a decision is made on whether she stays at the University. Mizzou must decide by Aug. 1 whether to grant tenure to Click.

Foley said a university task force consisting of faculty members, students, administrators and staff has been formed to look into what happened on Nov. 9 that led to the Click charges.