is with regret that we write to inform you of two deplorable incidents of racial harassment in recent days. Within a span of a week, fried chicken parts were placed in the mailboxes of the Black Students Association and the African Students Association in LaFortune Student Center. These acts of harassment are a clear violation of University policy, unacceptable in every way, and will not be tolerated on our campus.
Since learning of these actions, members of the Office of Student Affairs have been working closely with these two student organizations to understand the specifics of the incidents and to assist with reporting the facts to the Notre Dame Security Police Department for investigation. Anyone with information on this matter is asked to contact NDSP at 631-5555.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, student leaders in consultation with other students, staff and faculty members are developing a comprehensive response to this racial incident as well as other occasions of intolerance that often go unreported. We seek to use it as a means to educate our community and create awareness of the fact that, even at this point in our national history, hatred and bigotry continue to exist and must be combated. Our response will take various forms, and we encourage each of you to lend your support to our efforts.
There is no place for harassment in our society, and that is especially true in a Christian community such as our own. We at Notre Dame believe that all are equal in the eyes of a loving Creator, and that as a Catholic institution of higher learning we have a special responsibility to use our faith and our minds to stand united as God’s children in opposition to the hatred of racism.
In Notre Dame,
Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, C.S.C.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Don Pope-Davis
Vice President and Associate Provost
Brittany Suggs
Chair, Black Student Association
'Deplorable incidents of racial harassment' reported at Notre Dame - WSBT-TV