UNH, police investigate acts of hateful, racist vandalism on campus: 'Unacceptable'

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire and school police are investigating recent incidents of antisemitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and racism on campus.

On Wednesday, with many students home or traveling the day before Thanksgiving, university leaders shared with community members that multiple incidents have been reported to the school.

UNH spokesperson Tania deLuzuriaga stated that the school recently received two separate reports of swastikas drawn onto surfaces, one that was wiped away from a bathroom in a residence hall and the other drawn onto a broken picnic table. On Sunday, Nov. 19, a group of unidentified men were roaming Hitchcock Hall around 3:30 a.m. and were “being loud and disruptive and writing hate speech on the walls and bulletin boards,” she said.

“This vandalism was homophobic, racist, antisemitic, and generally vulgar,” deLuzuriaga said. “The vandalism was removed the following morning, residents were notified, and UNH police are investigating. While disturbing, this was an isolated incident.”

No victims were directly targeted in the incidents, according to deLuzuriaga, and no suspects were immediately identified.

UNH's Wednesday announcement came from school President James W. Dean Jr., provost and vice president for academic affairs Wayne Jones, chief diversity officer and associate vice president Nadine Petty, and senior vice provost for student life Kenneth Holmes.

“These actions are unacceptable, antithetical to our community values, and undermine our collaborative efforts to foster a community where all members can succeed, reach their full potential, and feel safe, valued, and included,” their message reads.

The note to the school community was sent three days after a student died by suicide at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. He was a junior studying in the school’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics and a member of the fraternity, according to the school.

The message from the four leaders referenced the death of the student and recent regional and international tragedies.

“For many, we know the last few weeks have been challenging. Acts of violence in Lewiston and Concord have felt far too close to home. The war in Israel and Gaza has brought consternation to our community, particularly for the many with ties to the region. The loss of a fellow Wildcat has shaken and saddened all of us. In these challenging times, it's crucial that we come together as a community and demonstrate our shared values of inclusivity and respect for each other,” the note states.

Since the fall semester began, the school’s Civil Rights and Equity Office has received 11 actionable bias complaints, four of which have been referred to the school police department.

“Those investigations are ongoing. Neither (figure) is significantly different from what we see in a typical semester,” said deLuzuriaga.

UNH officials are asking students with information on the recent incidents to report it to the school’s Civil Rights and Equity Office or to the UNH Police Department.

“The end of the semester and holiday season can be a stressful time for many. In the coming weeks, we ask you to support each other with care and empathy,” the school’s Wednesday communication reads. “We have far more in common than divides us, and we should view our differences as assets that enrich our community and create opportunities for dialogue and learning.”

If you need help

The University of New Hampshire is advising students to contact the following three community resources for assistance or to report information about recent incidents on campus:

The school’s Psychological and Counseling Services is available for 24/7 mental health support: (603) 862-2090

The Civil Rights & Equity Office is for anyone who has experienced or observed bias to make a report: (603) 862-2930

The University Police Department is available at any time for any student who has an immediate safety concern or who has information on an on-going police investigation: (603) 862-1212

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH, police investigate acts of hateful, racist vandalism