CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Miami University\u2019s Dean of Students says antisemitic messages were found in a residence hall on campus.<\/p>\n
One message was found on a student\u2019s door, another, along with a racist message, was found in a communal bathroom within Tappan Hall, according to the University.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw some of the photos. There is a swastika, that\u2019s what it is, and the n-word. Sometimes one exclusive, sometimes both. It\u2019s hurtful. It\u2019s 2025 and no one should see that, experience that, it is hateful,\u201d said Rabbi Yossi Greenberg, with the Chabad Educational Center.<\/p>\n
Greenberg says after being notified of the hateful messaging, he first checked in on the students to make sure they didn\u2019t feel threatened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe answer was that our students did feel safe and the University took it very, very seriously and that made me feel at ease,\u201d Greenberg said. \u201cAt the same token, we tell our students, \u2018You\u2019re not victims. We\u2019re not victims. We have exams to take care of; we have a holiday season. You have friends, you have family that love you and focus on all of the positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsey Topf, a senior and one of the Chabad Presidents, says the University acted immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy immediate reaction is obviously this is horrible. Hate towards anyone is horrible,\u201d Topf said. \u201cAs a senior who has been a very active member of Chabad for the past four years and a Jew on campus, I feel completely safe. This is my family. I think administration does a phenomenal job making sure that we feel safe on this campus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greenberg says his message to the Jewish community on campus is that the University has their back. He also encourages anyone to celebrate what it means to be Jewish.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a problem, I don\u2019t want to whitewash what it means to see a swastika in a dorm, but we can\u2019t live our lives based on someone else\u2019s hate. We\u2019re just beyond that,\u201d Greenberg said.<\/p>\n
The Dean of Students at Miami University condemned the racist graffiti, saying in a statement: <\/p>\n
This deplorable behavior is a direct contradiction of our values and the welcoming community we strive to be at Miami. We unequivocally condemn these acts of hate. Please be aware that if you are responsible for writing these hateful messages, we are committed to investigating fully and utilizing every resource available to hold you accountable under the university\u2019s conduct policies.<\/p>\n
\u201dHate towards anyone is horrible and it should not be tolerated,\u201d Topf said. \u201cIt was a little cowardly because they weren\u2019t, whoever it was, brave enough to stand behind their words. They had to do it and run and leave where they couldn\u2019t be caught.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami University says if you witness hateful symbols or language on whiteboards or elsewhere to speak up and report it to a staff member, or call MUPD as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
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