KU professor is placed on leave after making “references to violence” in a video

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A University of Kansas professor is on administrative leave because of comments he made during a lecture earlier this semester, the university said Wednesday.

The comments, captured on a recorded video of the lecture, constituted an “inappropriate reference to violence,” according to KU.

“The lecturer sincerely apologizes and deeply regrets the situation,” the university said in a statement. “His intention was to highlight his advocacy for women's rights and equality, and he admits he did a very poor job of doing so.”

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall criticized the professor on social media for the comments and called for his firing.

“Disturbing video from a (University of Kansas) professor,” Marshall said in the post. “Anyone who says men who don't vote for Kamala Harris should be 'lined up and shot' is crazy and shouldn't be around students or scientists. I trust that (KU) will take immediate action and fire this professor.”

In the video, which has gone viral and garnered thousands of reactions on social media, the professor makes no specific reference to Vice President Kamala Harris.

The professor can also be heard asking for this part of the lecture to be removed from the recording.

“Did I say that? Take that out of the recording, I don’t want the deans to hear that I said that,” the professor says.

KU said he will be placed on leave while the investigation into the matter continues.

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