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A classroom confrontation between a black 

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

 English instructor and three white male students has reportedly resulted in a reprimand for the teacher.

, 38-year-old Shannon Gibney was leading a class discussion about structural racism during her Intro to Mass Communication course when a white student interrupted her.

In the video, Gibney recalls what happened:

The students reportedly did, and MCTC administrators called Gibney to an investigatory meeting. She went with her union representative, and an attorney for the school also attended.

 reports Gibney received a letter of reprimand from the vice president of academic affairs, which the paper cites:

Gibney tells the reporter the reprimand is formal and will go into her file. She tells the reporter she may have to attend some sessions with the college's diversity director.

Gibney would not comment on what happened when I called her. But she said she received an additional warning from administrators that she may have violated the students' right to privacy when she spoke about the incident.

She said she is not part of a class-action lawsuit -- as has been reported -- but is one of a handful or so of MCTC faculty and staff who have filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging workplace discrimination.

the three students who complained aren't speaking publicly about the incident, and said school officials wouldn’t go on camera.

But it said they released this statement:

Meanwhile, the college's handling of the case has received criticism in

, and Minneapolis artist Ryan Williams-Virden has written 

I have calls out to Gibney's union representatives as well as a college spokeswoman. We'll see what they say.

Education News

On Campus Blog

Alex Friedrich

Author

A classroom confrontation between a black Minneapolis Community and Technical College English instructor and three white male students has reportedly resulted in a reprimand for the teacher. According to a news video by City College News, 38-year-old Shannon Gibney was leading a class discussion about structural racism during her Intro to Mass Communication course when 

A classroom confrontation between a black Minneapolis Community and Technical College English instructor and three white male students has reportedly resulted in a reprimand for the teacher. According to a news video by City College News, 38-year-old Shannon Gibney was leading a class discussion about structural racism during her Intro to Mass Communication course when Read more →


MCTC instructor: I was reprimanded for how I handled a discrimination debate

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