Several racial comments were found written in the men’s bathroom in the lower level of the Library this past Sunday, Feb. 2.
At around 7:30 p.m., the security office was notified by Patti Blatt, a library staff member, that a student had reported the racial graffiti.
According to Todd Pelazza, director of Security, five statements in total were written in the library. Pelazza said that Fairfield University “frowns on it [hate messages]” and “does not condone it.”
Many students are upset by these acts of hate.
“I’m not really shocked because things like this happen all the time,” said Jaclyn Drake, ’06. “It’s upsetting, but just not shocking. People here, in college, should be acting a lot more mature and tolerating than that.”
Vincent Forestiere, ’03, agreed.
“I don’t think it reflects the opinion of the majority of our school,” said Forestiere, “but I think it’s a shame.”
According to Pelazza, this type of action does not happen on a regular basis and Pelazza could not recall another incident this year, although Library staff members do remember one similar hate message incident happening about three years ago in the restroom of the old library building. In the past, hate messages and offensive comments have been written in various places including residence halls, academic buildings, as well as in the library.
Fairfield University’s student handbook clearly explains the university’s position on hate crimes and racial remarks on page 37 and states that “any individual who violates this policy [acts of intolerance, racism, or harassment] will be subject to appropriate action, including but no limited to counseling, suspension, expulsion, termination from the campus, or civil or criminal action. Acts of intolerance are defined as any offensive verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at a person or group based upon race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, veteran’s status, age or association with persons different from oneself where such behavior is intimidating, hostile, demeaning or could or does result in emotional or physical harm, embarrassment or fear of one’s personal safety.”
With February being Black History month, the university is offering a series of Back History films on Wednesday nights all throughout the month as well as an exhibit of Civil Rights era photography as a celebration of African-American art in the Walsh Art Gallery, lectures regarding the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a lecture on African-American Art by Dr. Mile, and a new course in African-American art called “The Black Experience: African-American Art and Criticism in the Twentieth Century.
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