Professors’ racist remarks prompt Montana University rally for accountability

MISSOULA, MT– Students at the University Of Montana who led a recent protest are still awaiting on action from the university president and administration regarding racist remarks from two faculty members.

Last year, Professor Clayton Looney’s ex-wife, an African American woman, revealed on social media his private messages using the n-word and other racial slurs.

Since the messages became public, Looney, a professor in the university’s College of Business, completed a sensitivity training course. He announced he will not teach for the rest of the spring semester, but he has not resigned. He is expected to come back for the autumn semester.

More than 100 students and faculty came together March 3, and held a protest in the middle of campus in front of the University Hall. They called for Looney’s dismissal. They chided UM President Seth Bodnar and other administrators for their lack of action on racial issues within the school.

“How can we trust you guys when you don’t even show that you’re caring for us?” said Ajaysia Hill, a former student. Hill brought the Looney situation to the university’s attention last year. She raised it again in February at a meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana.

An African American woman, Hill was the primary speaker at the event alongside allies in support of firing Looney and holding the school administration accountable for racial justice. She said that neither the university nor the president has made any public comment addressing Looneys accusations, inferring that labels UM as racist.. 

Bodnar, who was among those in the audience, received an invitation to speak toward the end of the protest. 

“I didn’t not come here to speak, I came here to listen and to learn.” said Bodnar. “I understand your frustration.” Bodnar acknowledged that the universities limited jurisdiction in disciplining faculty is upsetting. As a white male, he said, racism within the community angers him.

Some members of the crowd responded to Bondar, “Then do something about it.”

As of 2019 the University of Montana has about 10,000 students enrolled, according to the Data USA website. About 72% of the enrolled students are white compared to their Black and Indigenous counterparts who make up less than 1 and .5 percent of the student demographic.

Zach Rides At The Door, who is Blackfeet and the president of the University of Montana’s Kyiyo Powwow, was in the crowd at the protest. ​​His face and those of other selected students are featured on big posters that are displayed on the campus buildings throughout the university. Rides At The Doors poster is located on the Native American Studies building. 

“You can put so much people on the side of the buildings, but it doesn’t make the university diverse until the instructors, the faculty, everyone knows what they can do to get past that barrier to like, realize it’s a time for changes,” said Rides At The Door.

The call for Looney’s termination comes after a semester when another UM professor Rob Smith was discovered blogging online degrading the LGBTQ and Muslim communities along with making misogynistic comments. Smith was placed on paid leave from the university. 

In a tweet posted shortly after the University’s newspaper published the article exposing Smith’s blog, Bodnar wrote, “Building a culture of respect, empowerment and equity is foundational to our mission. I have directed UM officials to immediately address this matter through investigatory and supportive measures.”

However, Smith’s blog, now deleted, is not within itself illegal and is protected as freedom of speech just as in Looney’s case.  Hill addressed this issue in her speech. “What happens when freedom of speech compromises the safety of people?” asked Hill. 

The University of Montana cannot discipline Looney because the University views his actions as non-workplace issues, according to UM’s director of strategic communication Dave Kuntz told the Montana Kaimin. 

“What else?” said Hill at the protest. “How else are you supporting black and brown people on campus?”

JoVonne Wagner is a journalism student at the University of Montana.