After a series of hateful messages with racially-charged language against different groups was found in several UNO bathrooms, school officials responded with their own message – that any hateful or racist behavior on campus will not be tolerated.
On Thursday, sixteen UNO vice chancellors, deans and student leaders sent students and faculty a noteto make it clear that UNO is welcoming and inclusive.
“We have to make it make it clear that we’re a campus that welcomes people, diverse views, diverse cultures, diverse beliefs – but we won’t accept the hateful language and intolerance to people,” says UNO Vice-Chancellor, B.J. Reed.
School officials say the note was prompted after a racist and anti-Semitic message was found on a toilet dispenser in the men’s bathroom at the Arts and Sciences Hall Thursday afternoon.
Last week, another hateful message against African-Americans, as well as a pencil-drawn swastika and a drawing of male anatomy were also found.
Reed says these incidents aren’t typical for UNO’s campus, and believes a lot of this has stemmed from the recent political climate.
”This is not about ideology, and it’s not about politics, it’s about no matter what your views, you need to have a safe place to express them but they need to be civil,” says Reed.
”Well I thought it was a strong signal to send to students that more than anything. We’re a community that values diversity, values inclusion, all the different students we have here across different backgrounds,” says Patrick Davlin, UNO’s student body president.
The note assured students that “UNO is even more determined today to stand together against anything that threatens our peaceful campus community.”
‘You are welcome here’ signs were posted via social media and throughout school buildings with hopes of reminding students and staff that support is offered and that any type of hateful behavior will have consequences.
The UNO Public Safety Office is currently investing the series of hate crimes. So far, no suspect has been identified.
