Springfield, Mo.: Missouri State University President Addresses Controversial Previous Incident
Missouri State University President Richard “Biff” Williams has recently reached out to students concerning a lawsuit linked to an incident during his tenure at Utah Tech University. In an email sent on Saturday, Williams acknowledged his involvement in a prank that he now views as inappropriate.
The Incident and Lawsuit
The lawsuit involves three staff members from Utah Tech University, where Williams previously served as president. In his email, he reflected on a mistake he made when he humorously displayed a collection of vegetables shaped like male genitalia on the porch of a vice president recovering from surgery. He described this act as a lapse in judgment, stating, “This was a mistake. I regret my lapse in judgment, and I accept this as a learning moment.”
This incident forms part of a larger lawsuit reported by local media, with Williams listed as one of the 20 defendants. The plaintiffs, two of whom are female (one being Black) and one male, claim they faced substantial hostility while trying to promote a discrimination-free workplace within the Office of Equity and Compliance & Title IX.
The Details of the Prank
According to the lawsuit, on November 8, 2023, Williams left a note along with the display of vegetables for the vice president, wishing them well on their recovery and jokingly addressing the items as “delicious produce.” The plaintiffs stated they were “not aware, nor did they give consent” for their names to be used in the note, which included misspellings of two of the names.
Williams had previously informed his chief of staff of his intention to deliver a humorous gift, implying it would be a source of laughter. However, after the delivery, the vice president texted Williams, seeking clarification, after finding a suspect in doorbell footage. Williams denied having any knowledge of the package delivery.
Reactions and Consequences
After the prank became public, the vice president shared the images and details of the incident at a Board of Trustees luncheon, where it was met with laughter from a group of senior staff and trustees. This interaction led to one of the plaintiffs feeling “shocked, embarrassed, and humiliated” due to being inappropriately linked to an event they were not involved in.
The plaintiffs subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the university’s Human Resources department. The lawsuit outlines that by December 2023, when the university’s legal team contacted the plaintiffs to dismiss their Title IX complaints against Williams, the reasoning was rooted in his impending departure from the university.
Williams’s Current Role
After a nationwide search, Williams took on the presidency at Missouri State University in July 2023, succeeding Clif Smart. He was officially inaugurated on October 17, just a few months before this incident came to light.
As the case continues to unfold, the plaintiffs demand the matters involved in the lawsuit be heard before a jury. They are seeking compensation for damages, both economic and non-economic, alongside coverage for legal expenses.
President Williams’s recent communication with students serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring a safe environment at educational institutions, emphasizing the need for thoughtful actions from leaders.
As the situation evolves, it remains crucial for the involved parties to prioritize the well-being of all individuals within academic communities while addressing grievances transparently.
