The University announced Wednesday it is investigating an incident in which a man allegedly made racial slurs to three students at Clemons Library Tuesday evening.
According to a statement from the University, the man in question was not affiliated with the University. The University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights is leading the investigation, and the University has reached out to the three students involved in the incident.
University spokesperson Anthony de Bruyn said the incident was reported around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.
This investigation follows a series of hate speech incidents throughout the past academic year. These incidents have included anti-Muslim slurs written in Brown College, anti-Semitic vandalism on the GrandMarc apartment building on 15th Street and racial slurs written throughout the Kent-Dabney dorm on McCormick Road.
The increased bias-motivated crimes prompted administration and student response. Last November, University Dean of Students Allen Groves, Marcus Martin, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity and Catherine Spear, assistant vice president in the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, sent out an email condemning hate speech on and around Grounds.
Student groups responded to the crimes by forming the week-long Eliminate the Hate campaign last November. CIOs involved included the Minority Rights Coalition, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Queer Student Union and the Indian Student Association, among others.
In its statement, the University said it is dedicated to fighting bias-motivated discrimination and harassment.
“While the University respects constitutionally protected speech, the University will not tolerate discrimination or harassment that violates applicable state and federal law,” a University statement said. “The University remains committed to providing a safe living and learning environment for every member of its community.”
No other details about the incident have been released at this time.
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