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UM Chancellor Says Officials “Accelerating Process” to Consider Meek Name Change
UM Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter released a statement to the campus community Tuesday, Sept. 25 that said university officials are expediting the process of considering the removal of donor Ed Meek’s name from the School of Journalism and New Media.
The Meek School of Journalism and New Media. Photo by Anna Grace Usery.
The statement was made after university faculty asked Meek on Friday, Sept. 21 to request his name be removed within a three day time period. Meek responded to faculty the following day, Sept. 22, requesting that his name be removed.
“Today I have asked the University of Mississippi to remove my name from the School of Journalism and New Media,” Meek wrote in the email sent Sept. 22. “My desire then and now is for the School of Journalism to be a global leader in Journalism education. I recognize that the attachment of my name to the School of Journalism is no longer in the best interest of that vision.”
The journalism faculty accepted his response Monday, Sept. 24 saying, “We agree with and accept Dr. Ed Meek’s request that his name be removed from the school, as it is in the best interest of our students, school and the university.”
Undergraduate and Graduate Councils are meeting currently to discuss the name change, according to Vitter’s statement.
Vitter’s statement reads as follows:
Based on the request made on Saturday, September 22 by Dr. Ed Meek to remove his name from the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media, University officials are accelerating our standard process for considering a change to the name of an academic program.
On Monday, the faculty of the School of Journalism and New Media voted to accept Dr. Meek’s request, and the dean of the school, Will Norton, asked for expedited consideration of this matter by the councils on campus that must review it. As a result, members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils are now voting by email on whether to accept the request to remove the Meek name from the school. These councils are comprised of faculty from across the entire university, and each council has one voting student representative.
If approved by both councils, the request will be considered by the Council of Academic Administrators, which is chaired by the provost. Its voting members include all deans, the Faculty Senate chair, faculty representatives, the three vice chancellors within Academic Affairs, the Associated Student Body president, and the Graduate Student Council president. If approved, the Council of Academic Administrators refers the matter to me as chancellor, and I will refer the request to the IHL Board for consideration on an expedited basis.
There have been comments from members of the public and the media recommending that the university return the naming gift. State and federal law and the terms of the original agreement governing the management of these funds prohibit the University from making such a move unilaterally. Discussions are underway with the Meek family on the most appropriate way to proceed.
We will continue to work to bring this matter to an appropriate resolution.
Jeffrey S. Vitter
Chancellor
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| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
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| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | W, 52-20 |
| Mon, Nov 4 |  | vs Long Island University | W, 90-60 |
| Fri, Nov 8 |  | vs Grambling | W, 66-64 |
| Tue, Nov 12 |  | vs South Alabama | W, 64-54 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Colorado State | W, 84-69 |
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| Thu, Nov 28 |  | vs BYU | W, 96-85 OT |
| Fri, Nov 29 |  | vs 13 Purdue | L, 80-78 |
| Tue, Dec 3 |  | @ Louisville | W, 86-63 |
| Sat, Dec 7 |  | vs Lindenwood | W, 86-53 |
| Sat, Dec 14 |  | vs Southern Miss | W, 77-46 |
| Tue, Dec 17 |  | vs Southern | W, 74-61 |
| Sat, Dec 21 |  | vs Queens University | W, 80-62 |
| Sat, Dec 28 |  | @ Memphis | L, 87-70 |
| Sat, Jan 4 |  | vs Georgia | 11:00 AM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 8 |  | @ 23 Arkansas | 6:00 PM TBA |
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| Sat, Feb 8 | | @ LSU | 7:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 12 |  | @ South Carolina | 6:00 PM SECN |
| Sat, Feb 15 | | vs 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Feb 22 |  | @ Vanderbilt | 2:30 PM SECN |
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| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |
Ric
September 25, 2018 at 9:21 pm
I wish they would accelerate the dismissal of Vitter and Bjork
Valor Arms
September 25, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Any truth to the rumor that the name “Landshark” is being considered?
Waite Ligon
September 25, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Future donors may reconsider based on the administration’s rush to judgment of a man with credentials as admirable as those of Ed Meek. Punishment this harsh should be reserved for those with a truly dark and mean spirited heart not for a man who has so generously dedicated more than half of his life in service to the University. Disgustingly shameful!
Ron
September 26, 2018 at 11:06 am
Arms
I have not heard that rumor, but given that they are already losing donors because of all their foolishness, that would just drive more away.
Are they really that foolish? I would like to think no. But who knows about these two jokers.
The damage Vitter and Bjork have done to O M can not be overstated.
Richard Burns
September 26, 2018 at 5:29 pm
Has anyone else noticed that the University called for a campus meeting to discuss Dr. Ed Meek’s comments, and possible removal of his name from the Meek School – just 27 (TWENTY SEVEN) hours after Dr. Ed posted on his personal FB page? If he had committed murder Ole Miss would have not acted that quickly! 27 Hours later the students and faculty sitting out there sanctimoniously eager to remove his name. The silent majority can see through this hypocrisy.
Bret
September 26, 2018 at 9:16 pm
Can we face reality here. If those two girls in the pic were not colored there would not much to this. If you fart in Oxford anymore you are a racist.
Carla Hill
September 27, 2018 at 1:25 am
I am ashamed and embarrassed by the behavior of administration, faculty, and students who rushed to this senseless decision. This is a good man who made a bad decision, and for pity’s sake, we’ve ALL made mistakes. I guess there is a certain criteria that governs forgiveness and tolerance……it just depends on what mistake is made and who made it. This is a sad, sad turn of events.
Jon
September 27, 2018 at 9:30 am
well, they can kiss my donations goodbye