University professor offered extra credit for students who attended Abrams’ event

Stacey Abrams' campaign held a rally at Clayton State University on Tuesday morning.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Stacey Abrams' campaign held a rally at Clayton State University on Tuesday morning.

An associate professor at Clayton State University acknowledged she made a mistake by offering students extra credit if they attended a campaign event for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Andrea Allen (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)

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The rally took place at the university Tuesday morning, and it also hosted U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

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An email, obtained by Channel 2, was sent by Andrea Allen, an associate professor of criminal justice, which said:

“Although I never offer extra credit, I’m making a onetime exception. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the Abrams campaign along with Senator Warren are visiting campus tomorrow at 10 am in the UC commons. They would like a really big turnout. To help out I’m offering the following opportunity: If you attend, take a selfie of you at the events, and upload a pic to the folder I’m creating in D2L, I’ll add 2 bonus points to your final grade.”

This is part of an email sent by a Clayton State University associate professor to students, which offered extra credit to those who took a selfie at Stacey Abrams' campaign event. (Photo: Channel 2 Action News)

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The university sent an emailed statement to the news station that said it just became aware that extra credit was being offered, and that “university administrators have advised the professor that extra credit should be offered on an equal basis to those participating in events by all political parties.”

Allen could not be reached by Channel 2 for comment, but the Clayton State email also said: “The professor acknowledges she had made a mistake and agreed to fix it by offering extra credit for all political events.”

The university also said it does not provide support to political candidates or parties.

The Abrams’ campaign sent a statement to Channel 2 that said, in part: “Our team did not suggest to this or any professor that extra credit should be offered to students.”

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