Outpouring of support. Students mass in front of the St. Rose Convent in to object to racist scrawls.
University hunts for racist; vows accountability
LACROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University rallied to object to racist messages that were written on a Black student’s dorm room door. The hate messages, written with a Sharpie pen, included:
> “Get out of our school.”
> “You’re a bad person because you’re Black.”
Of Viterbo’2,500 students, 450 live in campus dorms and apartments. About 150 freshmen are in Bonaventure and Marian dorms.
Verbatim
The university response: “Our community is saddened and frustrated by recent hate-filled incidents. We have taken active steps to identify those involved and hold them accountable. Racism and bigotry are never tolerated at Viterbo University. Any actions, beliefs, or statements that devalue, disrespect, or harm others have no place in our campus community. Viterbo stands in unity with our students of color in denouncing all forms of discrimination, prejudice, and hatred. Our first concern remains the safety and well-being of our students and employees. We are also prioritizing support for the victim of these hate-filled acts and completing a formal investigation of this crime to identify the individual or individuals responsible.”