School president condemns white supremacist credo plastered on ETSU campus
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for placing racist fliers stating ‘It’s Okay to be White’ in several locations on the East Tennessee State University campus in Johnson City during homecoming weekend.
In a prepared statement, ETSU President Brian Noland condemned the postings that he said they are the work of white supremacist groups that target college campuses. Noland said he was disgusted at the acts which included vandalizing an area of Borchuck Plaza dedicated to ETSU’s first African American students in the 1950s.
The university has an active investigation to find who tried to spread the racist message. (PHOTO: Washington County TN Democratic Party / Facebook)
Noland’s complete statement:
In the early hours of Friday, November 1, racist flyers were placed on multiple buildings and locations across our campus. These flyers were identical to those placed on college campuses across the country by white supremacist groups in an attempt to seed division and discord. In an act of vandalism, flyers were placed on Borchuck Plaza over the memorial plaques of those five pioneering individuals who desegregated our institution during the 1950s. It is clear that the posting and placement of these flyers was an attempt to create division in our community and I am disgusted by this act.
Upon the discovery of this vandalism on November 1, ETSU staff members moved quickly to remove these materials from our campus. This remains an active investigation and we welcome any information that could lead to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators of this crime. Please direct any tips and information to 423-439-4480.
Our core values are clear: people come first and are treated with dignity and respect. We recognize the wounds that this incident has opened and have multiple resources available should anyone need support. Such resources include the services provided by:
· Counseling Center, 439-3333 or www.etsu.edu/students/counseling/
· Multicultural Center, 439-4844 or www.etsu.edu/students/mcc/
· Office of Human Resources, 439-4457 or www.etsu.edu/human-resources/
· Office of Equity and Inclusion, 439-4445 or www.etsu.edu/equity/
I have asked every member of our senior leadership team to reaffirm their commitment to our university values and collaborate with institutional and community partners to strengthen and unite our campus as a place where people come first and are treated with dignity and respect. We will respond to this attempt to sow seeds of division by carrying forward our work to support an inclusive and affirming campus. This weekend’s homecoming celebrations were a wonderful affirmation of our institutional values and I am confident that we will continue to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for our region through our unwavering support for all of the diverse members of our university community.
Thank you.
Brian Noland
President
