Missouri State University President Richard Williams Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial Prank Incident

Missouri State President Faces Lawsuit Over Vulgar Incident

City of Springfield, Missouri

A recent revelation has brought attention to Richard “Biff” Williams, the newly hired president of Missouri State University (MSU). The university’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Suzanne Shaw, confirmed that the university was unaware of a vulgar incident involving Williams during the hiring process. This acknowledgment comes in light of a federal lawsuit filed on November 7.

The lawsuit claims that during his tenure at Utah Tech University, Williams executed a distasteful prank by displaying vegetables in a sexual arrangement on the porch of a colleague who was recovering from surgery. It alleges that Williams left a note referring to one of the vegetables as a “zuweenie.” Instead of signing his own name, he apparently signed the names of colleagues Rebecca Broadbent, Hazel Sainsbury, and Jared Rasband, implicating them in the prank.

Details of the Lawsuit

The plaintiffs, Broadbent, Sainsbury, and Rasband, assert that they were not involved in the prank and that their names were used to retaliate against them for their efforts to enforce anti-discrimination policies under Title IX. They further state that they faced intimidation and harassment from the university’s leadership after the prank incident. The lawsuit claims that their objections were met with what they describe as a “sham investigation and coverup.”

Shaw indicated that the MSU Board of Governors had no prior knowledge of the incident or the allegations against Williams when they extended the job offer. The board chair, Lynn Parman, was informed about the issue only after Williams disclosed it in June. “The board only recently became aware of the extent of the circumstances,” Shaw noted.

Emergency Meeting Called

As news of the federal lawsuit emerged, it prompted the MSU Board of Governors to convene an emergency meeting. This meeting occurred shortly after the details of the lawsuit were reported in a local publication. During the meeting, the board, along with Williams and senior university officials, reviewed the matter in depth.

In response to the unresolved situation, Missouri State has hired FleishmanHillard, a Kansas City-based public relations firm, to assist with the fallout. The board approved the contract on November 8, which is expected to cost no more than $10,000.

Williams’ Response

Williams, who began his presidency at MSU after serving at Utah Tech from 2014 to January 2024, has publicly apologized for the incident, calling it a “mistake” and a “lapse in judgment.” He expressed regret for the attention the situation has brought to the university and emphasized the importance of fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all staff and students.

Following this incident, the MSU board has pledged their support for Williams as he navigates this challenging situation. They reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the university remains a supportive environment.

Future Considerations

Williams is subject to annual evaluations under his contract, with the first scheduled for Summer 2024. Should termination occur, the contract stipulates that he could be let go for “just cause,” which includes violations of university policies or laws.

The ongoing controversy surrounding Williams raises essential questions about leadership accountability and workplace culture, particularly at institutions of higher education. As the lawsuit unfolds, the university community will be closely monitoring the implications on its leadership and overall environment.

As the situation develops, both the board and university officials remain focused on maintaining the integrity of the institution and addressing concerns arising from Williams’ previous actions.