The faculty of Montana State University (MSU) recognize that hate speech and threats occur on the MSU campus in such forms as emails, fliers, and verbal statements targeting members of our MSU community. This includes recent threatening and hate filled emails sent to members of the student group Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) that targeted members of the LGBTQ+ and Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) community at MSU. A threat was also made on campus targeting members of the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) student organization. The faculty at MSU reaffirm our commitment to  “a learning and working environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based upon race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.” (hereinafter Protected Classes)

The themes and rhetoric used in hate speech threaten the safety and well-being of our MSU community by inciting hatred, and potentially violence, against members of our community. Hate speech is “any form of expression through which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of [a Protected Class]” (American Library Association, 2017).  When hate speech is “based upon an individual’s [Protected Class]” and  “has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a reasonable person’s participation in a University Program or Activity”, this conduct can cross the line into a form of discriminatory harassment that violates MSU’s “Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Policy” and goes against the student code of conduct and MSU employee policies  (https://www.montana.edu/equity/policies/index.html).

The existence of such speech should not be ignored, as ignoring the presence of hate speech on campus 1) could be seen as a tacit endorsement of hateful rhetoric, 2) isolates those experiencing hate speech, 3) slows down the passing of critical information between targeted groups, and 4) is detrimental to the mental health of targeted members of our community. 

The Faculty Senate of Montana State University, speaking on behalf of faculty at MSU, denounces threatening and hateful speech in all its forms. We resolve to confront this speech on campus by 1) supporting efforts to increase communication between administration, faculty, and other groups on campus about acts of hate speech at MSU, 2) continuing to support members of targeted groups by connecting them to campus and community resources, and 3) working to ensure the safety of all members of the MSU community in the face of violence and threats of violence 4) reaffirming our commitment to equity and justice. We uphold the ideals set forth in MSU’s Strategic Plan (Transformational Learning, Goal 1.1: Broaden access for underrepresented populations and increase academic success for all students through excellence in undergraduate education) and Diversity and Inclusion Framework (Campus Climate and Intergroup Relations). We stand in solidarity with all groups targeted by hate speech and aim to cultivate an inclusive learning community for all people.