GETTYSBURG, Pa. — At least two students at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania have been suspended from the swim team after a report that a racial slur was scratched onto a student’s body, officials said.
Officials received “a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched onto a student using a plastic or ceramic tool,” officials at the 2,200-student private liberal arts school in Gettysburg said in a statement last week.
“This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process,” the college said. “At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities.” The school declined to release further details, citing that process, as well as privacy laws.
It is believed to have happened during an “informal social gathering at an on-campus residence” and was first reported by upper-class students from the swim team, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano said.
Iuliano described feeling “profound distress about what happened” and the impact on those long underrepresented on the campus, as well as the implications “for a community continuing its evolving efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.”
“No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on one’s identity and history,” he said in a statement that also cautioned against speculation “based on fragments of information that may or may not be accurate.”
The city’s police chief, Robert Glenny Jr., said he contacted the college after hearing news reports and was told the victim chose to handle the matter through the college’s internal process, despite college officials encouraging the person to take the matter to police, WGAL-TV reported.
Two individuals have been suspended from a college swim team after a disturbing incident in which a racial slur was reportedly scratched onto a student’s body. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for action to address racism and discrimination on college campuses.
The incident occurred during a swim team practice at the college pool. According to reports, a student noticed the slur scratched onto their body after getting out of the pool. The student immediately reported the incident to the college administration, prompting an investigation into the matter.
Following the investigation, two individuals from the swim team were identified as being involved in the incident. The college took swift action and suspended both individuals from the swim team pending further investigation. The college also issued a statement condemning the use of racial slurs and reaffirming its commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The incident has sparked a conversation about racism and discrimination on college campuses. Many students, faculty, and community members have expressed their outrage and called for accountability for those involved in the incident. Some have called for mandatory diversity and inclusion training for all students and staff, while others have called for harsher penalties for those who engage in racist behavior.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of addressing racism and discrimination in higher education. Colleges and universities must continue to work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their race or background. It is important for colleges to take a strong stance against racism and discrimination and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it is important for the college community to come together to support those affected by this incident and to work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful campus environment. By standing together against racism and discrimination, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.
