Watch CBS News

Barnard College, Columbia University Staff Reportedly Receiving Racist Robocalls

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are investigating racist robocalls at Barnard College and Columbia University.

The calls to staff and faculty members have reportedly been related to the death of Tessa Majors.

School officials say the calls came from a white supremacist group.

Details of the messages have not been released.

Police say the NYPD's racial and ethnically motivated extremism unit "is aware of this incident and looking into the matter."

Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the incident on Twitter, saying, "White supremacists are morally bankrupt and these robocalls in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy are disgusting. The Barnard and Columbia community rejects hate — and so does New York City."

Columbia Univeristy's Office of University Life posted the following message on their website:

"We have become aware that robocall messages from a white supremacist group were received on many faculty and staff landlines at Barnard and may have been received by a small number of Columbia faculty and staff as well. The contents of this message, related to Tess Majors' recent death, are abhorrent and viciously racist. We write to let you know that we are actively looking into this with the NYPD and are working to block the caller. If you have received this type of message or receive one in the future, please let us know. We take this attack on our values extremely seriously."

Anyone who has received one of the calls is asked to contact school officials.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.