Marshall University has suspended a professor for saying in an online class that she hopes Trump supporters get coronavirus and die before the November election.
A video clip excerpt showing Jennifer Mosher, a professor of Biology at Marshall, delivering a virtual lecture was posted on Twitter. She reacted to Trump supporters attending an indoor rally without masks, saying, “I’ve become the type of person where I hope they all get it and die.”
“I’m sorry, but I am so frustrated … I don’t know what else to do. You can’t argue with them, you can’t talk sense into them … I said to somebody yesterday I hope they all die before the election,” the professor said.
Mosher apologized after the remark and noted that she should not “talk politics” in an online class, but the damage had already been done.
Online and Campus Criticism
The Twitter post garnered criticism towards the professor and the West Virginia-based university, deeming that such remarks are “unacceptable” in an academic setting.
Assistant Professor Jennifer Mosher at Marshall University says she wishes all Trump supporters die…. She has been suspended pic.twitter.com/gBMGbd5ULX
— Sam Conservative (@BlessUSA2024) September 19, 2020
The sentiment was also shared by other members of the school. Professor Daniel Holbrook of History said he was “a little surprised that a faculty member would be that explicit about their own beliefs,” according to WOWK 13 News.
Eric Kutcher, a Marshall alumnus, applauded the university’s move to suspend Mosher. “Under no circumstances should EITHER side share views like this in her position at a public institution,” he wrote on Twitter. Deborah Lewis, another alumnus, said she couldn’t believe “they allow this person to teach!”
Action Taken
Marshall University has suspended Mosher and released its official statement, deeming Mosher’s comments “an overtly political statement.” The administration reiterated that they will not condone the use of their educational platforms to “belittle or wish harm” on people with different political views.
The school also stated that Professor Mosher has been removed from the classroom and is placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
