Chancellor Kent Syverud apologized for Syracuse University’s response to racist graffiti found in Day Hall in a campus-wide email sent Tuesday.

Racial slurs against black and Asian people were written Wednesday night on Day Hall’s fourth and sixth floors. Ceiling lights on the residence hall’s sixth floor were also pulled out and placed in a toilet. The N-word was written on part of the light, at least one mirror on the floor and on garbage cans. A slur against Asian people was also written on a bulletin board on the fourth floor of Day Hall.

Syverud said he was “disappointed” that the university leadership team didn’t communicate with the larger student body more quickly. 

“While, I appreciate the personalized and immediate care our leaders provided to Day Hall residents directly impacted by this incident, repercussions are far-reaching and are a concern to us all,” Syverud said. 

The Department of Public Safety was first informed of the racist graffiti Thursday morning and immediately began an investigation with the Syracuse Police Department, Syverud said. DPS has followed several leads, and the investigation has involved student interviews and evidence collection. DPS and SPD “continue to work aggressively,” to find the perpetrators, he said.

New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the state police’s hate crimes taskforce to investigate the incident on Monday night. Syverud said he’s asked for timely updates concerning the investigation.

DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado, Dean of Students Marianne Thomson and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Keith Alford held several meetings with affected students, Syverud said. A meeting was held in Day Hall for students to express their concerns and seek support and action. 

Officials from DPS and SU held at least two meetings with Day Hall residents in the four days before the university’s campus-wide announcement. A university official told students not to record a Sunday meeting or speak to media outlets. 

Staff from SU’s student experience division were present at Monday’s forum, which was organized by the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program. 

SU’s Residence Hall Association is holding a forum to discuss the racist graffiti Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Lyman Hall. University officials will be present at the forum, Syverud said.

Published on November 12, 2019 at 11:28 am

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu