Goucher Bias Incident Under Investigation

TOWSON, MD — Authorities at Goucher College say they are investigating graffiti on campus threatening specific students and black people in general. The Baltimore County Police Department is working with campus public safety officials on the case.

The graffiti was found in Heubeck Hall, one of the dorms at the campus off Dulaney Valley Road. Officials said that a student discovered "threatening anti-black graffiti targeting specific student residents" early Wednesday morning.

First, authorities said, they wanted to ensure the students who were threatened were safe. Then at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, campus authorities notified the Goucher community of the situation and offered support.

Students held a demonstration on campus to take a stand against racism on Friday, Nov. 16.

Students at Goucher College gather after a swastika written in black permanent marker and other racist graffiti was found in a dorm bathroom this week pic.twitter.com/BzowmwTgwC
— Ruth Morton (@Ruthlestiltskin) November 16, 2018

"An incident such as this has repercussions across our campus," Goucher College President José Antonio Bowen said in a statement on Thursday, Nov. 15. "We will continue to provide support services for targeted students and others who desire support. Our other top priority will be supporting the police investigation and ensuring that we do not compromise those efforts."

Added Bowen: "Make no mistake that we view this act as a hate crime, as does the BCPD."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines a hate crime as an offense such as vandalism, arson or murder that is motivated in part by the perpetrator's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity.

"Please be assured that we are working at every level to support the targeted students, while also doing all we can to reassure all students that they are supported at Goucher College," Bowen said. "It is imperative that we come together as a community now, to stand together against such acts of hatred and racism that have no place on our campus or the world beyond."

Image via Google street view.