Two vice chancellors at the University of Colorado at Boulder are offering $5,000 each for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a racist and threatening e-mail message that was sent to a student government leader on Nov. 16.
Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs, announced in November that his office would offer a $5,000 reward for information. This week, Vice Chancellor for Administration Paul Tabolt announced that his office is adding an additional $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case.
Mebraht "Mo" Gebre-Michael, a tri-executive of the University of Colorado Student Union, received a racist and threatening e-mail message on Nov. 16 that has raised concern about the campus climate for minority students. The message said "you will die if you run for student government again" and made other threats directed at minority students.
Gebre-Michael is a junior African-American student majoring in sociology and pre-law.
Both vice chancellors said they were hopeful that offering a sizeable reward for information in the case would make it easier for someone who had information to step forward. "In a case such as this, we believe that a person who might know something will not be likely to share what they know without some additional incentive because of second thoughts they may have about being associated with the person or persons involved," said Stump.
Anyone who may have information concerning suspects in the case should call CU Police Detective Jason Wade at (303) 492-8168. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous should contact Boulder County Crime Stoppers at (303) 440-STOP (7867).