BILLINGS – Faculty and staff members at Montana State University Billings received pre-recorded phone calls with racist messages directed at African Americans over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to Chancellor Dan Edelman and campus authorities.
In a Thursday email to staff, Edelman wrote that MSUB “does not condone hate in any form,” and directed anyone who has received such a call to report it to campus police. He did not say how many calls have been received on campus.
In an email to MTN News, Edelman said he was unaware of any new calls received Friday but noted campus offices are closed, and more people will check their voicemail next week.
The robocalls come just days after fliers placed by a controversial group, Identity Evropa, were removed from the MSUB campus.
Edelman did not say if the two events were related.
Edelman’s full message to the campus is below:
Dear campus community,
Recently, some faculty and staff members’ office phone lines have received pre-recorded calls with racist content. These calls persist even today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving.
MSU Billings greatly values diversity and does not condone hate in any form.
These calls have been reported to University Police, who are investigating. If you receive a call, please notify the MSU Billings Chief of Police, Denis Otterness atdenis.otterness@msubillings.edu.
We wish you a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!
