Debate coach regretful, not traveling

‘ ‘ ‘ There will be no more debating for Shanara Reid-Brinkley, an assistant professor in… ‘ ‘ ‘ There will be no more debating for Shanara Reid-Brinkley, an assistant professor in Pitt’s Department of Communication, this year. ‘ ‘ ‘ After the video of a verbal brawl between her and former Fort Hays State University professor William Shanahan at a Cross Examination Debate Association event this past March a appeared on YouTube, Pitt made an inquiry into Reid-Brinkley’s actions. The University made its conclusion yesterday. ‘ ‘ ‘ Reid-Brinkley’s behavior during the post-debate discussion of the quarterfinal of the event did not meet University standards, according to a University news release. ‘ ‘ ‘ All attempts to contact faculty members, including Reid-Brinkley, were directed to Pitt spokesman and vice chancellor Robert Hill. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Faculty members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, especially when representing the University,’ said Hill in the release. ‘ ‘ ‘ Reid-Brinkley said she has reflected on the incident and will not travel with the debate team or act as a coach for the remainder of this academic year. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt said it agrees with the association that something should be done to improve behavior during the debate tournaments. As a result, Pitt will no longer participate in tournaments sponsored by the association. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I deeply regret my language choices during this incident,’ said Reid-Brinkley in the release. ‘Despite serious provocation, such language was unprofessional. I apologize for any embarrassment I have caused the University.’