Questions mount over potential investigation into history professor

Chapman history professor Liam O’Mara tweeted an image of a KKK hood to far-right, Black political commentator Candace Owens last month, inciting student concerns and a potential university investigation. Unsplash

Liam O'Mara, Chapman University history professor. Photo courtesy of O'Mara

Chapman University history professor Liam O’Mara — who teaches at two other Southern California institutions — has been under fire lately after a racially insensitive tweet sparked outcry from students and community members.

Despite the negativity O’Mara has received across social media, Chapman has not released any public statement on the issue. O’Mara said it’s because there’s nothing to comment on.

“Chapman took a look at it,” he said. “It wasn’t and clearly is not a threat of violence or some hate speech attack.”

Dean of Students Jerry Price explained that while the process is confidential, Chapman is following all federal and state laws to review the situation and dictate next steps.

“I can confirm that (Chapman) is going through that review process,” Price said. “One of the frustrating things for people in general, students in particular, is when they raise a concern — depending on the situation and situations like this — the law is going to prevent them from being updated on what the status of their concern is.”

Alexander Bay, the chair of the history department at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, added that his faculty are committed to diversity and inclusion. He believes there isn’t any kind of statement to be made addressing O’Mara’s conduct.

“The history department does not have anything to add to the OC Register and The Panther articles and to the fact that Liam O’Mara, a part-time lecturer in the department, has apologized and acknowledged the inappropriateness of his comments, and the damage they have imparted,” Bay wrote in an email to The Panther. “The history department is fully and actively committed to standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and with Black and (Asian American and Pacific Islander) communities.”

Although Chapman has not released any public statement or information, Price emphasized that doesn’t mean no action has been taken to look into the issue — one of the inevitable realities of employment law.

“My concern is that the lack of information can be interpreted as nothing is happening,” Price said. “That very well may not be the case or it absolutely could be the case. It’s frustrating not being able to say one thing or another. It’s frustrating for us and it’s frustrating for students.”

Price also explained the importance of employee rights in conflict situations, which he said supersede the general public’s interest in being aware of investigation results.

“These laws and policies are in place so we can identify problem behavior and take corrective action when appropriate,” Price said. “When there’s not transparency, trust isn’t always easy to come by. But we have an obligation to take it seriously and proceed accordingly.”

Jamie Ceman, Chapman’s vice president of strategic marketing and communications and Albert Roberson, the university’s equal opportunity and diversity officer, likewise told The Panther that Chapman could not comment on compliance reports, personnel matters or investigations.

O’Mara continued to emphasize regret for sending the tweet.

"The way I addressed that issue was wrong and insensitive and managed to overshadow my intent,” O’Mara said. “This whole event has helped me to understand the ease with which pithy comments on the internet can backfire and helped me to address another layer of my own privilege and social blindness."

While the lack of public information may cause frustration, O’Mara said Chapman hasn’t made any comment because there is no need or reason for the university to take a stance.

"As I understand it, schools do not generally comment on issues like this, and whether or not they pursued the matter I would not have expected them to break confidentiality,” O’Mara said. “The situation just isn't anything like the way it has been portrayed in some circles."