Students in the Communications, Journalism and Media Department were alerted about hate symbols drawn on a Rowland Hall welcome banner on the evening of Oct. 24.
“I am writing with an angry heart as I just removed the welcome banner from the Rowland stairwell after someone scribbled swastikas all over it,” CJM department chair Carrie Sipes wrote in an email to students Tuesday night.
Sipes’ email went to all students with a major or minor in the department as well as the Shippensburg University Police Department and Manuel Ruiz, SU’s Vice President for Inclusion and Belonging.
“On behalf of the entire university, we unequivocally denounce this incident, which is in direct opposition to our institutional values supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Ruiz said in a follow-up email on Oct. 25. “At Shippensburg, people of all faiths, ethnicities, races, genders and sexualities are welcome, and every member of our community must be free to teach, work, learn and live on our campus while having all aspects of their identity respected.”
In a second email, Sipes shared that she is looking into a quote for security cameras to be installed on the second floor of Rowland Hall, which is where the CJM department holds most of its classes. Sipes also hopes to “sponsor a campus discussion or other educational event to further develop anti-racism allies.”
Sipes and Ruiz encouraged students to remain vigilant and report any concerns to SUPD.
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