Criticism of Wolfe began after his lack of response to what students universally called “an unsafe learning environment for minorities.” Students repeatedly reported being the victims of racial slurs, and October 24 a swastika drawn with human feces was found on a dormitory wall. While Wolfe released a statement defending his administration, it came much too late.

The Missouri Students Association released a letter to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators on Monday, November 9th, stating that “in his sole prerogative to listen and respond to students,” he “has failed in this completely,” and that the multiple offenses against people of color at the university “have accumulated into irreparable damage to the student experience.”

Wolfe’s history of refusing to converse with concerned students is well-recorded. Last year, the University of Missouri responded with silence after the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri—an event which happened barely 100 miles away from the campus. On October 10th, a group of black students approached President Wolfe’s car during a parade in an attempt to get him to publicly acknowledge the racial tension at the university. Wolfe refused to speak to them.

Even more recently, on November 6th, Wolfe was approached again at a fundraising event in Kansas City and stumbled when asked to define systemic oppression before responding with, “systemic oppression is because you don’t believe that you have equal opportunity for success.”

Black members of the college’s football team also joined in the protests against an administration they feel has failed them. The players said in a statement last week that they would “no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students’ experience.”

The football players’ decision was backed by their head coach, Gary Pinkel. Now, this is where you must pay attention. Notice how Wolfe didn’t really give a damn about any protest, or black people concerns but it generally didn’t have an impact. But when 54 black players walk off the field, everyone wants to pay attention. Why? The answer simple. The Univ. of Missouri makes millions of dollars every year off of their football program. This ranges from tv contracts, jersey sells, bowl games, and much more.

Well, if you don’t have a good football team, you stand to lose millions of dollars per year! What is the lesson that black people need to learn. If you affect the white man’s economics, they have no choice but to meet your demands. Great job to all of those who got the job done.