A shocking incident at Gettysburg College has led to the expulsion of a student-athlete after allegedly carving a racial slur into a teammate’s chest.
At a Glance
- A Gettysburg College swimmer allegedly used a box cutter to etch a racial slur onto a teammate’s chest
- The victim was the only person of color at the on-campus social gathering where the incident occurred
- The student responsible for the act has been removed from the school
- College President Bob Iuliano condemned the incident as a hate crime
- The victim’s family has filed complaints with the NAACP and Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations
Disturbing Incident Rocks Gettysburg College Campus
A troubling event has unfolded at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, where a student-athlete allegedly used a box cutter to carve a racial slur into the chest of a swim teammate during an on-campus social gathering. The incident, which targeted the team’s only person of color, has been labeled a hate crime by both the victim’s family and college president Bob Iuliano.
The alleged perpetrator has been removed from the school, though it remains unclear whether this was a voluntary departure or an expulsion. The college has launched an internal investigation, which is reportedly nearing its conclusion.
College’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
Gettysburg College President Bob Iuliano has taken a firm stance against the incident, condemning it in the strongest terms. In a campus-wide email, Iuliano stated, “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,”
The college administration has emphasized its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and hate-free campus environment. As part of this effort, the school has provided a list of campus resources for support and reporting bias incidents.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
The family of the victimized student has been vocal about the incident, describing it as a hate crime and expressing their disappointment in the college’s initial handling of the situation. In a statement, the family revealed:
“Two weeks ago on the evening of Friday, our son became the victim of a hate crime. The incident took place at a gathering of swim team members. It is important to note that he was the only person of color at this gathering. The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student-athlete, someone he considered his friend, someone whom he trusted. This student used a box cutter to etch the N-word across his chest.”
The family has filed complaints with the NAACP and the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations, seeking a fair and thorough investigation into the matter. They have also criticized the college for not following its own policies and procedures in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Community Response and Path Forward
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Gettysburg College community and beyond, gaining attention from mainstream news outlets. Some students have reached out to the victim in a show of support, which the family appreciates.
As the investigation continues, both the college and the victim’s family hope this tragic event can serve as a catalyst for positive change. The family has expressed their desire for the incident to lead to transformative change at Gettysburg College, emphasizing the need for transparency and justice in the process.
While the names of the students involved have not been made public, the college community is grappling with the implications of this event for its ongoing efforts to create a truly inclusive environment. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Gettysburg College to see how it addresses this challenge and works to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sources:
- Gettysburg College student allegedly carved racial slur with box cutter onto another student’s chest
