In a letter dated Jan. 19, former UM System President Tim Wolfe criticizes school officials about the events on the University of Missouri’s campus in 2015.
41 Action News obtained the letter Wolfe sent to “a select few friends,” titled as confidential, about the events that led to his resignation on Nov. 9, 2015.
In the letter, Wolfe says that the Missouri “football team’s actions were the equivalent of throwing gasoline on a small fire.” Wolfe also writes that the $1 million penalty associated with forfeiting the game to BYU would have paled in comparison to the millions lost in tuition and fees MU would lose with reduced enrollment in the fall.
Click here to read Wolfe’s letter. Personal information from those in the letter has been redacted.
"I made the mistake"
Wolfe writes bluntly about former chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.
“As I have stated, I am willing to accept some of the responsibility for what happened. I made the mistake of hiring Bowen Loftin and I trusted the Board of Curators to support my decisions and to do what is in the best interest of the University of Missouri System rather then to cave into politicians and special interest groups with agendas that are contrary to the mission of the university,” Wolfe wrote.
Wolfe's letter is also critical of the Board of Curators. Wolfe says he has been trying to reach an agreement with the Board about his role and compensation, but negotiations have stopped. He asks the letter’s recipients to contact board members and ask them to resolve his contract negotiation.
"So as to prevent injury"
Wolfe writes that he resigned out of love for MU and the rest of the system. He also says it was largely motivated by a significant pending event that was to occur on the campus.
In the letter, Wolfe says the FBI, Missouri Highway Patrol, Columbia Police Department and MU Campus police were aware of a significant Ferguson protestor on the campus, and there was a threat more were coming for a significant protest.
“So as to prevent injury and further embarrassment on our campus, the only way to relieve the pressure and stop the momentum was for me to resign,” Wolfe writes.
The response
UM System Spokesman John Fougere emailed 41 Action News a statement regarding the letter. It reads in full:
“We are aware that former President Tim Wolfe recently has made public to some university supporters a letter containing his thoughts about the events of last autumn and his desire to reach what he regards as an acceptable financial agreement between himself and the university.
Since Mr. Wolfe resigned voluntarily last November, discussions have been on-going aimed at reaching an acceptable post-resignation agreement, including the use of a well-regarded and well-known mediator.
After discussions which included mediation on December 18 left Mr. Wolfe's situation unresolved, discussions have been on-going including another mediation recently. Our position has been that any agreement would have to be consistent with the legal constraints within which a public institution such as the university operates.”
41 Action News obtained Wolfe's letter hours before Wednesday’s State of the University speech at MU.
MU's interim chancellor is speaking very frankly about last fall's issues on campus. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/JS7uOzcNmx
— Chris Morrison (@KCChrisM) January 27, 2016
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at ariel.rothfield@kshb.com.
