DPS investigating racial slur, anti-LGBTQ+ writing on whiteboard in Newhouse
SU’s Department of Public Safety is investigating “hateful comments,” including a racial slur and anti-LGBTQ+ language, written on a whiteboard at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Dean Mark Lodato said in a campus-wide email. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety is investigating a racial slur and anti-LGBTQ language written on a whiteboard at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato said in a Wednesday email.
A student discovered the writing on an office door’s whiteboard and alerted professors, also filing a STOP bias report, Lodato wrote. Lodato contacted the individual “directly impacted” by the incident, he said.
“Let me be clear: this kind of reprehensible behavior has no place at Syracuse University and the Newhouse School. It runs counter to our unequivocal commitment to building a welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff,” Lodato wrote in the email sent to Newhouse students. “The student who reported the incident is a shining example of this commitment.”
In the email, Lodato highlighted the school’s Office of Community, Culture and Engagement — formerly the office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility — which hosts a “listening lounge” for Newhouse students on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“Any individual found to have participated in this incident will be held appropriately responsible,” Lodato wrote.
Lodato said students with more information about the incident should contact DPS, the Dean’s Office or submit a tip anonymously on the Orange Safe app.
This story will be updated with additonal reporting.
