Nearly two weeks after the University of Wisconsin released a list of initiatives to address cultural competency issues on campus, anti-Semitic graffiti was reported on multiple doors in Sellery Residence Hall.
Over the weekend, three swastikas were drawn on whiteboards of three separate dormitory room doors. Campus officials are currently investigating the incident to determine the individuals behind the matter, UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone said.
In an email to The Badger Herald, McGlone said investigators believe students visiting from another college are responsible and chose the doors at random. She said UW would contact the students’ school and provide information about the incident.
“UW takes campus climate seriously and when incidents like this occur, we work to support those affected and identify the people responsible,” McGlone said.
UW officials respond to swastika ‘bias incident’ in campus dorm
Residence hall staff are providing information and support for the affected students to help them cope with the incident. At the moment, due to federal student privacy laws, McGlone was not able to comment whether the affected students are Jewish.
University Housing send out a community letter to the ninth floor of Sellery’s B Tower after the incident:
Dear Residents of Roe House:
We received information of a bias incident that was reported to us on Saturday Sept. 10, 2016 at approximately 9:10 p.m. Specifically, residents found swastikas drawn on the white boards on three different doors in 9B. This symbol has a historical meaning attributed to violence and oppression, especially to Jewish people. This reported incident has potentially affected residents in our community and beyond.
If you have any information that would assist in the investigation of this incident or would like to discuss how this incident has affected you, please contact Alandis Phillips or Kate Young, Residence Life Coordinators, whose offices are located in the Sellery Hall Residence Life Office: [email protected] and [email protected]. As communicated in an e-mail from the Chancellor, there are some new plans in place for a campus-wide response to the increasing number of reported hate & bias incidents, as well as to improve our campus climate.
It is imperative to always recognize the profound impact that all incidents that target a specific population can have; this impact often extends well beyond the targeted individual or group. We ask that you intervene when you can and report incidents. UW-Madison and University Housing respond to all bias incidents and may pursue disciplinary action if the behavior violates university policy, including the student conduct code. If you become aware of any future incidents that compromise the values of our community, please seek assistance from these resources in University Housing and campus:
* Report to a House Fellow or your Residence Life Coordinator
* Report Bias Incidents at: http://go.wisc.edu/reporthateandbias
* Counseling at University Health Services: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/services/counseling
Every Badger Deserves Respect.
The Hillel Center for Jewish Student life also issued a statement in response to graffiti. The center encouraged anyone who has any similar experiences to contact the center.
“We take such incidents very seriously because they affect the experience on campus for Jews and other minority students,” the statement said.
[UPDATED]: Anti-Semitic, white supremacist graffiti found in UW’s Greek life community
The university asks anyone with information to contact any Sellery Residence Hall staff member.
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Updates:
9:31: Updated with additional information from UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone.
