Several incidents of bigoted statements that have been written on posters or walls in residence halls since the semester began have prompted swift action by Emory Police and Campus Life, not only to identify those responsible, but also to make it clear that such acts will not be tolerated within the Emory community.
The incidents include: On Aug. 26 the letters "nig" were discovered on a wall in Dobbs Residence Hall near the doorways of five black residents; on Sept. 8 the phrase "deviant fags and dikes should stay in the closet" appeared next to the phone number for the Office of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Life that was listed on a poster in Turman East; and on Sept. 12 the phrase "nigger lovers" was found on a poster in Dobbs Residence Hall.
Vice President and Dean for Campus Life Frances Lucas-Tauchar, who referred to the first incident during her remarks at opening convocation on Aug. 27, reaffirmed Emory's determination to identify the individual or individuals who have written the graffiti. "The residence hall staff and I have made it clear at residence hall meetings held to discuss these incidents that such harassing behavior has no place in the Emory community. In our community everyone is considered to be special and valued," said Lucas-Tauchar.
"We are doing everything we can to identify who is writing the graffiti and to refer the matter to conduct council. If the culprit is a student, then we will seek to teach him or her a better way to act and live in our community through educational sanctions and other means. If the culprit is not a member of our community, we'll charge the individual or individuals with whatever is available to us through the local justice system," she said.
Emory Police Chief Craig Watson said that University officers have removed the posters to safeguard the materials as evidence and have interviewed a number of Dobbs Hall and Turman East residents in an effort to identify those responsible for the graffiti. "We have received tremendous support from the residents, and that directly affects the progress we make in these investigations," said Watson. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Police Department or a Campus Life representative.
--Nancy Seideman
The annual Alumni Weekend celebration is planned for Sept. 26-29 on campus. Highlights of this year's events include:
* The Sports Hall of Fame Banquet at 8 p.m. on Sept. 26;
* A Board of Governors reception on Sept. 27;
* A 5K Alumni Fun Run at 8 a.m. and presentation of Emory Medals at 11 a.m. on Sept. 28; and
*A memorial service for alumni on Sept. 29.
For a full schedule of events, call the Association of Emory Alumni at 727-6400.
The annual Big Book Sale featuring books priced from 50 cents to $1, records and greeting cards will begin with a preview sale on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6-9 p.m. Admission for the preview sale is $10, while the public sale on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is free and open to the public. The sales will be in Candler Library. Money from the sale benefits the Friends of the University Libraries.