The head of the English Department at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire has been put on administrative leave following accusations of overturning the College Republicans’ table on campus on Tuesday morning.

UW-Eau Claire Interim Provost Michael Carney confirmed the incident with Fox News.

“I am very troubled by the interruption of our students’ peaceful attempt to disseminate information on campus during election day,” Carney stated. “UW-Eau Claire firmly upholds everyone’s right to free speech and expression, and the university is dedicated to maintaining the campus as a space where diverse opinions and beliefs can be shared and appreciated.”

He added that “civil dialogue is a critical part of the university experience, and peaceful engagement is fundamental to learning itself.”

The student organization was supporting Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser, both of whom were defeated in the elections held on Tuesday.

The student group was promoting conservative-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser, both of whom lost their elections Tuesday. (Google Maps)

“A professor came up and flipped our table in a violent attack towards us. This is unacceptable,” Bobrowicz said in a statement posted to the UW-Eau Claire College Republicans Instagram account on Tuesday. “The university has since confirmed that this attacker was the chair of the university’s English Department. Once again, this type of violent attack will not be tolerated.”

UW director of media relations Mark Pitsch told Fox News in a statement that university staff “appreciate that UW-Eau Claire has taken swift action, and we will be working with them to conduct the investigation.”