Cotton balls at the Black Culture Center

There's a big difference in losing our sense of humor and letting people get away with hate crimes and racism.

Zachary Tucker, 21, and Sean Fitzgerald, 19, were sentenced to two years unsupervised probation.

The charge is misdemeanor littering, and not a hate crime. The potential penalty is a fine and a year in jail. Attorneys for the students say their clients will likely plead guilty. A hearing is set for April 29.

Zachary Tucker and Sean Fitzgerald, the two MU students arrested in connection with the cotton ball incident, have been charged with littering and face Class A misdemeanor charges.

The Boone County prosecutor handling what has come to be known as "the cotton ball case" said Monday that the state will not file charges against the two students who were arrested until the pair has met "an obligation."

The cotton ball incident was not just vandalism. It was a hate crime.

The students involved in the cotton ball incident should lose their scholarships and should not be allowed to serve in the ROTC.

Sean Fitzgerald, 19, and Zachary Tucker, 21, were arrested on suspicion of tampering in the second degree after cotton balls were scattered in front of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. The two MU students have since apologized through a press release.

Two separate incidences of peaceful assembly were in the spotlight last week. Their actions show that no matter what the argument, the First Amendment gives you the best platform.

The Chancellor's Diversity Initiative and Difficult Dialogues will host a discussion on why race conversations are difficult to have and will offer differing perspectives concerning the cotton ball incident at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

The event included a candle lighting ceremony in which the candles symbolized unity, respect, faith and education.

Lawyers for two MU students who admitted to spreading cotton balls on the lawn of the Black Culture Center issued an apology on the students' behalf Friday morning.

MU students Sean Fitzgerald and Zachary Tucker apologize for their involvement in the cotton ball incident at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

Students, faculty, and campus organizations turned out to show their support following a racial incident.

An anti-hate observance, organized in response to the cotton ball incident that occurred at MU's Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the steps of Jesse Hall.

Racially motivated crimes seem to be occuring in response to Black History Month, and it is troublesome how they are being performed with such casualness. There is nothing wrong with political correctness when people take into account other's rights and feelings.

MU organizations will celebrate diversity Friday in reaction to the cotton ball incident at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center this week. "Last Friday, someone picked cotton to send a message," said a Facebook invitation. "This Friday, we pick UNITY to send one back."

Here's what others are saying after the incident that took place Friday where cotton balls were thrown on the lawn of the MU Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

Senior coordinator of the Office of Student Conduct Donell Young explains what happens when a student violates university policy.

Freshman Sean Fitzgerald and senior Zachary Tucker were suspended Wednesday after their Tuesday evening arrest in connection with the scattering of cotton balls outside the Black Culture Center on Friday.