-
"Colored Only" Sign Posted
According to a University Police, a staff member in the Humanities Building reported that a sticker reading "colored only" was found above a water fountain. Their investigation of the incident remains ongoing. -
Period: to
The Incidents
-
Incident 1, Lefevre Hall
Police said two female students found a "racially offensive" poster in an elevator in the residence hall. -
Christian E-mails Campus
In an all-student e-mail, President Donald Christian said the posting of the "colored only" sign will not be tolerated on the campus and that school officials are "interested both in determining responsibility and in using this incident as a teachable moment for the campus community." -
Black Studies Faculty Respond
Dr. Major Coleman of the department of Black Studies sent a letter to President Donald Christian accusing the college of being “an active participant in the system of racial oppression in America.” Writing that Black faculty were concentrated in the Black Studies Department, which "maintains a system reminiscent of Jim Crow," Coleman said the posting of the "colored only" sign was not an isolated incident of racism on the campus. -
Period: to
Officials, Faculty Respond
-
Incident 2, Lefevre Hall
Graffiti with "racially offensive" content was found in an elevator in the building by a member of the Residence Life staff, police said. -
Incident 3, Lefevre Hall
For the second time, a member of Residence Life reported finding "racially offensive" graffiti in an elevator in the building to University Police -
Lefevre Hall Meets
Director of Residence Life Corinna Caracci organized an “all hall meeting” in the building to discuss the findings of "racially offensive" materials. -
Period: to
Campus Discussions Begin
-
President Contacts Campus Again
After reported incidents in Lefevre Hall, President Donald Christian condemned the postings of racial materials in Lefevre Hall "as contrary to our community values, hopes and aspirations." He encouraged all members of the campus community to join him and Student Association President Terrell Coakley to discuss the incidents at a forum on Nov. 30. -
Union Releases Statement
The United University Professions (UUP) union released a statement in response to the incidents, supporting administrators' actions to "address the recent incidents of racism on the New Paltz campus, as well as the enforcement of existing anti-discrimination policies." -
Students Host Discussion
Leaders of the Student Association (SA) and the Black Student Union hosted a forum called “‘Colored Only:’ Racism at SUNY New Paltz” on Thursday at 9 p.m. in Student Union 100 to discuss what happened. SA President Terrell Coakley said he hopes dialogue about these issues will continue to students can take preventative action. -
Campus Forum
President Donald Christian and Student Association President Terrell Coakley invite faculty, staff, students and other members of the New Paltz community to join them for a forum at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room to discuss all incidents and "related campus climate issues," they said.