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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2005
GAME INCIDENT
Mizzou police chief exonerated
Kansan file photo
BY LIZ NARTOWICZ
inartwortz@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Rich Littrell, Lee's Summit, Mo., junior, left; Andrew Wymore, a 2004 KU graduate, center; and Chris Kaufman, Denver, Colo., senior, right, display the sign they hung during the Kansas-Missouri game in Mizzou Arena on Sunday. The sign prompted a scuffle that ended with Wymore being taken to jail, the men said.
University of Missouri officials cleared university police chief Jack Watring from assault allegations after a three-month investigation that ended May 27.
Watring was under investigation for using improper force at a Missouri-Kansas men's basketball game on March 6. Watring had approached Chris Kaufman, 2005 Kansas graduate, about a 3-by-6-foot banner that said Mizzou Arena was the Allen Fieldhouse of the east.
During the confrontation Watring allegedly grabbed Kaufman by the back of his shirt. Kaufman later filed an assault complaint against Watring.
Kaufman, along with his three friends and fellow KU fans, received permission from an usher to hang the banner along a nearby railing. The banner hung for 15 minutes before Watring started to take the sign down. In his complaint, Kaufman wrote that when he tried to retrieve the sign from Watring, Watring grabbed him by the collar. Kaufman said Watring was on a power trip.
"It was totally unnecessary," Kaufman said.
Lisa Wimmenauer, associate director of business services at the University of Missouri, led the investigation along with two independent officers. During the investigation, Wimmenauer traveled to Lawrence for individual interviews with the involved KU students, alumni and fans.
Kaufman said he felt his side of the story was heard but that key witnesses were ignored. An MU fan who witnessed the argument was never interviewed, Kaufman said.
"Something doesn't add up," Kaufman said. "We don't feel their fair investigation was so fair."
Investigaters found Watring's actions reasonable considering the animated atmosphere between the rival schools.
Jones said Watring acted within his bounds throughout the incident, and that safety for all fans was his motive for removing the banner.
"It could be reasonably predicted that the banner could have become a focal point for unruly behavior," Jackie Jones, vice chancellor of administrative services at MU, wrote in the investigation's closing statement.
"The action in this incident was based upon my knowledge of past problems at similar athletic events at Mizzou," Watring said in his statement. "These events often become highly charged and can become violent."
Watring said although he followed all policies accurately, he regretted any misunderstandings that may have resulted from the incident. Watring, who remained active throughout the investigation, will continue working for the MU police department.
No clear policy concerning banners and signs at Mizzou Arena is in place. Christian Basi, assistant director of MU news service, said the University of Missouri was in the process of developing a policy and expected to have one finalized by the start of the 2005-06 basketball season.
Related training for event staff to avoid further incidents is also expected.
Kaufman will be in Columbia, Mo., today to support his friend Andrew Wymore, 2004 alumnus, who faces trespassing charges. Wymore was arrested for trespassing at the game when he
tried to re-enter the arena after Maj. Doug Schwandt revoked his ticket.
Kaufman plans to speak with attorneys about further actions he can take against Watring while in Columbia.
— Edited by Erin M. Droste
Lindley annex readied for demolition
The Lindley annex building for architecture is in the process of being demolished. Graffiti seasons the insides of the building's drywall while the outside siding has been ripped off in the process of demolishing the building.
Kit Lefler/KANSAN
Kim Wilcox is leaving the University of Kansas and has accepted the provost position at his alma mater, Michigan State University.
The 51-year-old dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences held the position at the University for nearly three years and awaits final approval from the University's board of trustees to set a date for his departure.
Wilcox will be chief academic officer for MSU making $275,000, which is a $95,000 pay increase.
Wilcox will be the second college dean to leave for a provost position at another university.
WED OB II
The previous dean, Sally Frost Mason, left in 2001 to become provost at Purdue University.
Associate dean Barbara Romzek will become interim dean of the college on July 1.
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The University will begin its search for a permanent dean this fall, and the new dean will more than likely start in the fall of 2006, according to a University press release.
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