DEVELOPING: Homophobic slur on dorm door prompts on-campus investigation
Posted at 6:30 p.m. on 2/14.
Updated at 7:27 p.m. to reflect the slur that was written.
Updated at 2:45 a.m. on 2/16 to include statements from President Mullen.
Updated at 1:55 p.m. on 2/16 to include video of interview with President Mullen.
Updated at 12:18 p.m. on 2/17 to include statement from Queers and Allies.
By: DAN BAUER
[email protected]
An unknown person marked a student’s door with the word “faggot” Friday night, prompting an investigation by the school.
The victim, who lives in Walker Hall, discovered the graffiti after leaving his room on Friday.
There was no direct cause leading up to the incident, according to Joseph DiChristina, dean of students.
“As far as we know, the slur put on someone’s door was not provoked,” said DiChristina. “There was not an altercation.”
Currently, Safety and Security is investigating the incident. According to an agreement between the college and the Meadville City Police Department, the responsibility of an initial report falls on Allegheny’s security office.
“If somehow we’re able to assess who might have been involved with this […] we could report it to the police department,” DiChristina said. “But at this stage, it’s the responsibility of Safety and Security.”
DiChristina stated that the priorities of Safety of Security and the Dean of Students Offices at this point are making sure that a report has been made and that the student regains a sense of comfort.
President Mullen is aware of the incident, but does not plan to release an official statement or take action until the investigation is completed.
“Sadly there are going to be people who are going to do bad things, and we have to deal with those things,” said Mullen. “We’re never going to get to a perfect place.”
He stated that once the investigation is completed, the administration will act “in a way that reflects our values and in a way that reflects also that there’s accountability for one’s actions.”
Queers and Allies released this statement to The Campus following the incident: “Queers and Allies will continue to uphold the Statement of Community, part of which emphasizes a “setting that values diversity, trust and equality.” Especially in situations such as this, when the trust and equality of individuals is violated, Queers and Allies will unceasingly maintain a supportive, affirmative, and confidential environment for all LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and their allies. We encourage any persons who feel anxious or fearful on campus to contact Kazi Joshua of Residence Life, the Office of Safety & Security, and/or Safe Zone certified faculty and staff.”
The Dean of the College’s office deferred comment to DiChristina. Cherjanet Lenzy, Director of Diversity Affairs, stated that all she had heard about the incident were “rumors” and that such incidents do not always come through her office.
Patricia Wood, secretary of the Physical Plant, was not aware of any work order for Physical Plant employees to paint over or erase any graffiti in a dorm. However, the employees who would have dealt directly with such an incident were not available for comment at the time of writing.
Those concered for their safety or well-being are urged to contact Associate Dean of Students for Wellness Education Jacquie Kondrot (814-332-4356), Assistant Dean of Students for Residence Life Kazi Joshua (814-332-3865) or any Safe Zone trained professor.
John • Mar 5, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I completely agree with the above posters saying that without the Campus this wouldn’t have been so sensationalized and personal to the student it happened to. It’s absolutely terrible that the campus has turned into news around campus to a sensationalist news gossip team looking to get a “big break” and cause chatter around campus. It would have been so much better for it to be internally dealt with, rather than publicly released. If I were that student, I would be beyond embarrassed by the fact that a giant article was written about me being harassed by other students because of sexual orientation. It certainly wouldn’t help me sleep at night knowing someone could walk around the dorm room and find my door because it was graffitied over, thanks to the school newspaper.
Absolutely pathetic.
Sam • Feb 25, 2011 at 10:57 pm
If The Campus hadn’t reported this, would we have found out about it at all?
S • Feb 18, 2011 at 1:09 am
1) What information does this article tell about the student other than his residence and what happened? None. No one is going to figure out who it is based on that. If they do, well then they’re the greatest detectives the world has ever known and we should give them bigger cases to solve.
2) Realising information is NOT a crime unless the victim is under age or is currently part of an investigation or trial in which a gag order has been issued by a judge.
John • Mar 5, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Too bad all one would have to do is go find the room in the residence, go back to their dorm and look up the room number in the campus directory. Not great detective work at all, I’d say. It’s not a matter of legality, it is a matter of right and wrong that the campus obviously has no real qualms about.
Nikki • Feb 16, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Writing as a student, not someone affiliated with an
organization – when it comes to hate crimes or crimes that make the
victim feel as though control has been taken away, the best thing
you can do is give control back to the student. The Campus
newspaper took that control away, again, in a second assault on the
victims privacy. The individual should have full control over what
information does and does not get released. In hate crimes,
sometimes the criminal may retaliate if the victim tells someone
(if you tell anyone about this, I will…). Not saying this is the
case here, but it could be. reporting on it would put the student
in undue harm, again. You have to proceed with caution and
sensitivity, and the Campus clearly did not do so in this
case.
ST in Virginia • Feb 16, 2011 at 1:48 pm
“Releasing any information pointing to a victim can be a crime.” No, it can’t Rachel. In fact, the paper could name the student who was targeted, so long they got the information in a legal manner (they didn’t steal it from a voice mailbox or off someone’s desk, for instance). Also, think of how this info helps: now your alliance to help gay students is on the lookout. Now, campus security had better beef-up its coverage, or someone’s family will sue. Now, the president, if he/she ever decides to say something, is put on notice. The reporters here seem to have handled themselves professionally in a tense situation.
Rachel • Feb 16, 2011 at 8:47 pm
MY alliance to help gay students? I assume everyone commenting on this website is connected to Allegheny in some way, meaning it is OUR alliance, an alliance that is dedicated to helping all of the queer community, not just gay-identified people.
All that aside, The Campus does not break stories. It makes stories public knowledge. President Mullen, Security, and QnA did not become aware of this incident because of The Campus.
As for the last point, it IS illegal to release information about a victim without gaining permission. People have a right to privacy.
Rachel • Feb 16, 2011 at 2:53 am
I think, The Campus, you need to understand you are NOT anything more than what your title says you are- a campus newspaper. Your entire staff are members of a small community, not hard-nosed professional reporters.
Releasing any information pointing to a victim can be a crime. However, your own moral compasses should be guiding you here. You may feel you have a commitment to the “truth” here, which you seem to have interpreted as further finger-pointing at a victim, but your true obligation is the same as every member of our community- fostering a happy, healthy and, above all, safe place for each of us.