"Michigan State University Apologizes for Adolf Hitler Image on Videoboard"

Michigan State University has apologized and suspended an employee after an image of Adolf Hitler was displayed on the stadium's videoboard before a football game against the University of Michigan. The university is taking steps to prevent future incidents. The incident upset the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism concerns. The university promises to ensure inclusivity.

Episode Transcript

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Michigan State University is publicly expressing regretand taking action following an incident involving the
display of a picture of Adolph Hitleron the stadium video board before a football
game against the University of Michigan.The university has swiftly suspended an employee in
connection with this incident. The controversyerupted as images circulated on social media showing

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Hitler's picture on the video board alongsidea troubling trivia question about his birthplace.
Michigan State Athletic Director Matt Larson acknowledgedthe issue, stating MSU is aware that
inappropriate content by a third party sourcewas displayed on the video board prior to
the start of tonight's football game.We are deeply sorry for the content that

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was displayed, as this is notrepresentative of our institutional values. To rectify
this situation and prevent similar incidents inthe future, Michigan State has decided to
discontinue its use of the third partysource responsible for the image and will implement
more rigorous screening procedures for all contentdisplayed on the video board. Michigan State

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Vice President and Director of Athletics,Alan Haller further emphasized that the video was
not endorsed by the university, hadno connection to any corporate partners or the
community, and was not viewed inits entirety by any one in the Athletic
department before being displayed. And internalinvestigation is now under way, although details

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about the suspended employee's role have notbeen disclosed. This regrettable incident has had
a particularly negative impact on the Jewishcommunity, which is currently grappling with an
increase in anti Semitism. To addressthis, Haller has pledged to reach out
to local Jewish groups and campus studentleadership organizations. Interim President Teresa K.

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Woodruff has also issued an apology tothe university's alumni and the wider community,
vowing to take comprehendi measures to ensurethat Michigan State remains a place where everyone
feels welcomed and safe. She acknowledgedthe need for alignment between the university's actions

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and its core values. This incidentadds to a challenging period for Michigan State's
football program, as they faced asignificant loss to their rival, the University
of Michigan, and controversy surrounding sexualharassment allegations against their head coach, Mel
Tucker. These events unfold against thebackdrop of heightened tensions on college campuses related

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to the Israel Gaza conflict, andconcerns about increasing anti Semitism and Islamophobia.
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