The East Campus bridge was recently vandalized with homophobic and anti-Black graffiti, according to a Tuesday email from Jeanna McCullers, director of the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards and Vice Dean of Students Clay Adams.
The graffiti was reported to the OSC on Monday, the email said. It is not known whether those involved are affiliated with the Duke community. The Division of Student Affairs and Duke Facilities “immediately” worked to remove the graffiti and the OSC is working with the Duke University Police Department to identify those involved.
“We expressly condemn this language and this type of behavior, which devalue and undermine the rich diversity of individuals within and outside of our community,” McCullers and Adams wrote. “These actions are cowardly and done to disparage our LGBTQIA and people of color communities. This will not be tolerated on Duke’s campus.”
The conduct process, including the hate and bias accelerator, will be activated if those involved are identified as members of the Duke community, the email reads.
There have been multiple incidents of vandalism and racism on Duke's campus in recent years. A printout of George Floyd’s toxicology report was hung beside a photo of his face on a Black History Month-themed bulletin board in Brown dorm in March. A swastika was found on the East Campus bridge in February 2020 and was quickly painted over.
Mental health resources
The Chronicle has compiled a list of general mental health resources, as well as specific mental health guides for members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.
This is a developing situation and will be updated when more information is available.
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Nadia Bey, Trinity '23, was managing editor for The Chronicle's 117th volume and digital strategy director for Volume 118.