HOLYOKE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) – A college in Western Massachusetts is responding to a string of Anti-Semitic incidents on campus.
Earlier this week, Mount Holyoke College found a hand-drawn Nazi swastika in a residence hall bathroom. This marks the third time the college has experienced this kind of incident this semester.
On Friday, the President of the college released a statement saying they believe that these acts were carried out by an individual student living on campus.
“We underscore the seriousness of any attack on our Jewish community, and reiterate that we have pursued, and will continue to pursue, the investigation with vigor and diligence,” wrote Sonya Stephens. “I hope that you will all understand that, due to the gravity of these acts, we need to continue this work in confidence and so must refrain from sharing the details of the investigation until or unless there is new information that we can report more publicly.”
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On October 6, the school’s student newspaper reported that another Nazi swastika was drawn in the bathroom of 1837 Hall. In a similar fashion to this most recent occurrence, the student who found the swastika called Public Safety. Officers then took pictures of the graffiti and proceeded to wash it off.
The article further states that students at the institution have routinely experienced “more casual forms of anti-Semitism” among their peers and with professors.
“In sharing this information with you now, we seek to keep you apprised, to protect all members of our community and to speak out against anti-Semitism,” President Stephens continued. “I am compelled to express my deep disappointment and anger that a member of our Mount Holyoke community would commit such harmful and cowardly acts.”
President Stephens also reminded the community that any other discriminatory acts or symbols must be reports, and provided resources for students, faculty and staff seeking support.
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