A disturbing incident in which a student-athlete at Gettysburg College allegedly wrote racist slurs on a swimming teammate's chest with a box cutter has opened an investigation at the small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, according to university officials and a family member of the swimmer.
The student who wrote the derogatory words on a classmate's body has now reportedly left the school, and the student who had the words inscribed was initially banned from swimming at the small school after revelations about the incident, which was roundly condemned by the university president.
“Regardless of affiliation or motivation, there is no room on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade or marginalize people based on their personal identity or background,” Gettysburg President Bob Iuliano said. I wrote this on Thursday.
Iuliano noted that the incident occurred during an informal social gathering on campus.
Family of student who received carved slander He told the school newspaper. A Gettysburg man claims his son was the “victim of a hate crime” and that on September 6th, a person claiming to be a friend scrawled the N-word on his son's chest with a box cutter.
Less than two days later, the alleged victim was interviewed by the swim coach and “summarily dismissed (but not suspended) from the swim team,” his family claimed Friday. It was not immediately clear if his situation had changed as of Sunday night.
The family also noted that he was the only person of color at the rally, but claimed the “reprehensible conduct” was committed by someone he “considered a friend and trusted.”
The school and the families of the other students issued a joint statement to the Gettysburghian on Sunday saying the students who allegedly wrote the libelous comments are no longer enrolled at the university. It is unclear whether they left voluntarily or were expelled.
“Both the university and the family recognize the gravity and seriousness of this situation and hope that this will be a transformative moment for our community and beyond,” the statement said, adding that the university and the family are exploring the best way to move forward.
An internal investigation is nearing completion, the statement said. Please read again.
In a memo sent to school officials on Thursday, Iuliano said the school learned of the situation after a senior student reported it to school officials.
“I want to emphasize that I am deeply saddened by what has happened, its impact on those who have long been underrepresented on this campus, and its impact on a community that continues to work evolvingly to create a truly inclusive environment,” he wrote.
