Although threats of racial violence at nearby Hocking College appeared empty, many of Ohio University's black students were on high alert yesterday - some even skipped class to avoid becoming potential targets.
College officials have not released the exact message, which was discovered Jan. 22 on the wall of a men's restroom inside the college's Hocking Heights dormitory, but said it warned of violence against black students Feb. 2.
The two-year technical college boosted security after the warning, which also prompted a federal investigation. National media reported the story, highlighting racial tension in Nelsonville, about 14 miles from Athens.
About 400 of the college's 6,400 students are black, and college officials confirmed at least two students had withdrawn in response to the threat. OU has a similar percentage of black students, who made up about 5 percent of the main campus' 20,537 students in 2008.
In addition to sending OU police officers to aid with the investigation and security, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi sent an e-mail about the threat to all students last Tuesday.
We wanted
very early and quickly to assure students Lombardi said. We never had indication there was any reason to worry here.
Lombardi's message was too vague for some OU students, who said it raised more questions than it answered.
The e-mail referenced slanderous racial remarks found in a Hocking College restroom and listed various on-campus services for students worried for their safety.
A lot of people still didn't know what was going on
said Chrysten Crockett, a sophomore studying public relations and president of the Black Student Union. She added the e-mail was too vague - leaving out the specifics of the threat at Hocking.
I understand they were trying not to induce panic
but administrators need to
in the best way possible
let students know the whole situation
she said. A lot of black students feel like they're not looking out for us.
The Black Student Union, which was revived by Crockett this quarter after years of inactivity, advised members to stay alert while on campus yesterday in case a racially motivated attack took place in Athens.
Crockett said many students she had spoken to were planning to skip class yesterday out of concern for their safety.
There (was) a high level of concern on campus
said Winsome Chunnu, assistant director of the Multicultural Center.
She said traffic at the center, which was included in discussions of how OU should handle the threat at Hocking, was uncharacteristically low - which she attributed to students staying home because of the threat.
Traffic today has been quite minimal
Winsome said yesterday afternoon. Students are concerned
which they should be. You can't take anything for granted.
Hocking College has yet to identify the source of the threat, but took steps to assure its black students they are safe on campus.
Over the weekend, college President Ron Erickson and his wife moved into the dorm where the threat was discovered, and the college kicked off its We Are One Hocking campaign, which focuses on celebrating campus diversity, with a candlelight walk around campus last night.
Crime Solvers Anonymous and Hocking College are offering a $2,000 reward and a $3,000 reward for any information leading, respectively, to the arrest or indictment of those responsible for the threat. Anyone willing to testify will receive an additional $2,000, pending a conviction.
