A look at how the Ed Meek controversy developed

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

Between 2 and 3 p.m. — Ed Meek posts his controversial comments and images on Facebook

Ed Meek, namesake for the Meek School of Journalism and New Media and former UM assistant vice chancellor for public relations and marketing, posted these images to Facebook along with a call for Oxford and Ole Miss leaders to “protect the values we hold dear.” Screenshot via Facebook, edited to protect identities of those pictured.

5:53 p.m. — Jeff Vitter posts statement condemning tone and content of Meek’s post

Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter responded to Ed Meek’s controversial Facebook post, condemning its “racial overtone.”

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018

7 a.m. — Meek School faculty meet at 7 a.m. to discuss how to move forward

Afternoon — Mahoghany Jordan responds to Ed Meek in a guest column in The Daily Mississippian

2:13 p.m. — Meek School of Journalism and New Media publishes a video statement in response to Meek’s post

6:30 p.m. — Forum is held at Nutt Auditorium for Meek School students to share their thoughts about Meek’s post

7:30 p.m. — Public forum is held at Nutt Auditorium for members of the Ole Miss community to share their thoughts about Meek’s post

The Meek School of Journalism and New Media holds a town hall to allow the university community to voice their opinions regarding Ed Meek’s Facebook post. Meek has received harsh criticism, and his now-deleted post is said to have contained racist overtones. Photo by Alexis T. Rhoden

Friday, Sept. 21, 2018

Noon — Meek School faculty meet to discuss path forward and draft a statement

2:30 p.m. — Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter releases letter outlining the next steps for the Ole Miss community and possible steps for removing Meek’s name from the journalism school

7:32 p.m. — Meek School faculty publishes a statement asking Ed Meek to request within three days that his name be removed from the journalism school

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018

7:45 p.m. — Ed Meek publishes statement of apology and asks for his name to be removed from the journalism school’s official name

Late Saturday night — Vitter releases a statement acknowledging Meek’s request for the name change and commending Meek for his decision

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018

Monday, Sept. 24, 2018

7:00 a.m. — Meek School faculty meet again to discuss the removal of Ed Meek’s name from the journalism school.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018

4 p.m. — Chancellor Vitter announced that Will Norton, dean of the School of Journalism and New Media, asked for the renaming process to be expedited following Meek’s request to have his name removed.

Tuesday night — The Graduate and Undergraduate Councils began voting via email on whether or not to remove Meek’s name.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018

Wednesday evening — The Graduate Council and Undergraduate Council voted in favor of removing Meek’s name from the School of Journalism and New Media.

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018

Thursday evening — The Council of Academic Administrators voted in favor of removing Meek’s name from the School of Journalism and New Media.

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018

Tuesday afternoon — Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter announced he would recommend removing Meek’s name from the School of Journalism and New Media to the state Institutions of Higher Learning.

Tags: controversy ed meek IMC journalism Meek School of Journalism and New Media Ole Miss University of Mississippi

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