Four students have been suspended and one arrested following a series of racist episodes at Syracuse University in New York, reports People.
Two of the incidents used language “derogatory to African Americans,” while the other attacked Asian American and Native American students.
USA Today reports the Syracuse Police Department arrested Kym McGowan, 18, on accusations of fourth degree criminal mischief and graffiti.
In all, the campus paper says there have been 11 racist incidents since November 7.
Students have staged sit ins in protest of what they say has been the university’s inadequate response. Since then, the chancellor has signed on to a list of demands made by the students.
“They want to feel like the university actually cares about their safety and making them feel welcome on campus,” Casey Darnell, editor of the Daily Orange told NPR. “They want mandatory diversity training for faculty and staff. They want stricter consequences for hate speech and actions like racist graffiti. And they want diversity and inclusion to be more than just buzzwords.”
“In response to real concerns raised by members of our community, the leadership team and I have worked in good faith – to support the thoughtful, forward-thinking and constructive solutions offered by many of our students,” Syracuse Chancellor Ken Syverud said.
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