Campus Climate Watch

Incident:  At approximately 11:00 PM at Plum Street near King Hall, two students of color had eggs thrown at them from a passing vehicle.  One student was struck by an egg.  The suspect vehicle was described as a dark colored Audi and allegedly had at least two white male occupants.  The driver was believed to have dark hair.  Because it is unknown at this time if the incident relates specifically to race or ethnicity, the incident is also being listed under the "General" category on this climate watch page.

Action Taken:  The students reported the incident to Campus Security and the Granville Police Department.

Status:  The incident is under investigation by the Granville Police Department.  Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Campus Security or the Granville Police at 587-1234.

Post Date:  February 4, 2008

Incident:  A security monitor reported that while patrolling the East Quad, he heard a male voice shouting over a PA speaker around 10:00 PM.  The officer heard a male student shout, "[student name] is a Nigger" and "I love saying Nigger."

Action Taken:  The security monitor was able to identify the room from which the student was using the PA system and addressed the student's behavior.  The officer advised the student that the incident would be documented on a report and communicated to the Office of Student Affairs, and that he will be contacted as a follow up to the incident.  The student apologized to the security monitor for his behavior.

Status:  Under investigation. 

Post Date:  February 5, 2008

Incident:  Two female students of color reported to Campus Safety and Security their perception that they were treated with bias while shopping at Indian Mound Mall.  The students reported that while shopping for jewelry near the entrance to a store, a store employee requested that they "shop in the back of the store" where similar merchandise was located.  Upon entering another store, the students reported that an employee came from behind the counter and immediately walked near them as they shopped.

Action Taken:  Campus Safety and Security took a report of the complaint and the Dean of Students also communicated with the students to offer assistance and support in contacting the Mall manager or the managers of the stores to report their concerns.

Status:  No current action.

Incident:  Sometime between 12:30 AM and 8:00 AM on November 7th, a male student of color received a flyer under his door that had on it a Swastika symbol, under which was written the words, "STOP CAUSING TROUBLE!"  The incident occurred in Shorney Hall.

Action Taken:  The student reported it to the Assistant Director for the West Quad on November 8, 2007.  The AD made a copy of the flyer to provide to staff in the Student Affairs Office.  The AD referred the student to immediately file a report with Campus Security.  The student filed a report with both Campus Security and the Granville Police Department.  GPD took the original flyer for forensic processing.  Additionally, the Vice President for Student Affairs sent an all campus anouncement to the community alerting them to the incident.

Status:  Under investigation.

Incident:  The Office of Student Affairs recevied a complaint about two white male students that allegedly attended a party at a satellite house with their faces painted in black makeup.  The incident raised concerns that the party may have been associated with a student organization.

Action Taken:  The incident was quickly investigated and it was confirmed that a party did occur at the satellite house noted in the complaint and that two students did attend the party in constumes that included having their faces painted with black makeup.

Two students dressed in costumes depicting a popular MTV duo of a black male and white male counterpart.  The students reported that prior to attending the party, they showed their costumes to a number of other students to guage their appropriateness.  The students stated they immediately washed off their makeup following the party.  It was also discovered that another white male student at the party came dressed as the head football coach of the Cleveland Browns, and also had his face painted using black makeup.  Current informaton relfects that no one at the party confronted either of these students about concerns related to their constumes or makeup.

The Associate Director of Student activities for Leadership investigated the nature of the party and found insufficient evidence to suggest the party was associated with any student organizations.  However, residents of the satellite house where the party occurred have been notified of the ongoing investigation.

Status:  Under investigation.  Further action pending. 

Incident:  Two students brought to the Dean of Students a flyer that had been posted in public areas of campus by the Denison male acapella student group, The Hilltoppers.  As a way to advertise their upcoming Halloween concert, the flyer read, in part, "Looking for a Place Hang?" and included clip art pictures of two nooses and a coffin with the text.  

Action Taken:  The Dean of Students phoned the Hilltoppers President to share concerns while the two concerned students were present.  The Hilltoppers removed all the flyers from the campus.  Additionally, executive members from the Black Student Union met with the leadership and members of the Hilltoppers to discuss the issue.  On October 30, 2007,the Hilltoppers met with the BSU membership met in a meeting called by the BSU to discuss concerns, and apologies were extended.

To facilitate further discussion campus-wide, an upcoming CNN program titled, "The Noose: An American Nightmare," is being broadcase on November 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Slayter Auditorium, sponsored by the office of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs.  It is free and open to the public.

Incident: Two female students of color reported that two white males made comments about white supremacy and made animal sounds in their presence and at them at the Indian Mound Mall during a university-sponsored shopping trip there.

Action Taken: Heath Police were informed of the incident.

Status: Active.

Incident: A male student of color reported to an Admissions staff member that an unknown person had written the word "nigges" in the first floor stairwell of Crawford Hall. The marking was photographed by Security and then removed from the wall.

Status: Active.

Incident: A male student of color reported that while walking up the stairwell in Shorney Hall a white male student made the statement, "It smells like N----- in here." He was unable to identify the student making the comment and informed residential life staff that he did not want to pursue any action at that time. He was later able to identify the student.

Action Taken: The student of color came forward in late October and has decided to pursue action through the community rights & standards process. Case was heard by Community Rights & Standards Board and the student respondent was found not responsible.

Status: Closed.