To the Lafayette Campus Community:
Yesterday we received several bias incident reports about the defacing of two signs hung on the office doors of a professor and a staff member in Acopian Engineering Center. The door signs, which expressed support for marginalized groups, were covered over with other signs contradicting those views.
This behavior violates College policy and there is no place for it on our campus.
The incident reported yesterday represents an insult to the freedom of expression and exchange of ideas that we embrace as a community. Moreover, these actions target individual community members and seek to intimidate specific marginalized communities on campus.
Public Safety is working to investigate these incidents. The College strives to hold the person or persons responsible for this clear violation of our policies and community standards accountable.
Finally, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who took the time to report the matter to the College, as described in our Sept. 25 email regarding bias incident reporting. Your quick attention enabled us to follow up immediately.
Members of the Bias Response Team as well as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council will host an open forum this evening from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Interfaith Chapel to discuss this incident as well as our process for following up with bias-related reports.
Sincerely,
Rev. Alex Hendrickson, College Chaplain
—