McDavis cancels farewell event because of planned protest

The university canceled a farewell open house for outgoing President Roderick McDavis because of a “planned protest” at the time and place of the event.In a public statement, McDavis said he did not want the campus to be at risk of more stress because of a farewell to him and cited possible tensions between protesters and police.https://twitter.com/connorperrett/status/829032958199791616“We also have concerns for our OUPD officers and want to avoid unnecessary run-ins between OUPD officers and protesters who feel they have legitimate issues and concerns,” he said in his statement.The farewell open house was scheduled to take place at Walter Hall from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday.OU student and protest organizer Bobby Walker, who gave a statement to McDavis at last night’s Faculty Senate meeting, told the Athens NEWS a few students had planned to protest, but it was not a priority.McDavis wrote in the statement that he was looking forward to the farewell and thanked the OU community for its support during his 13 years in office.David Descutner will take over for McDavis as interim president after McDavis’ last day in office Feb. 17. The Board of Trustees is in the process of finding a new president.