UC San Diego students took over the office of Chancellor May Anne Fox today after a noose was found on campus. This is the fourth racially-charged incident involving UCSD students over the past two weeks.
There was hardly any breathing room as students packed Fox's office. Students sat on the reception desk and on the floor. Bottles of water were handed through windows.
Students are outraged after a noose was found hanging from a bookcase inside the university's main library. Students remain frustrated with the university's response regarding a spate of other racially charged incidents stemming from the so-called Compton Cookout party.
Fox spoke to students using a bullhorn before they marched into her office.
“The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our primary concern. We will not tolerate hate on our campus. And as a result, all criminal acts will be punished,” Fox said.
A female student has come forward to take responsibility. Campus police are not classifying it as a hate crime, but they are saying the noose was left with the intent to terrorize.
UCSD student Samantha Willis says students are afraid and emotionally drained from the recent spate of racially charged incidents.
"Regardless of what the intention was that (the noose) is such a symbol of violence. To evoke that is to evoke fear, is to evoke pain. So that was a premeditated act of terror." Willis said.
Black students are said to be using campus escorts to make their way around campus. Others spent the night at the university’s Cross Cultural Center with other faculty and staff out of fear.
Student leaders are demanding the university meet 32 demands in order to address racial inequalities at UCSD. They say they will continue pressuring administrators until those demands are met.
Fox says they will punish any criminal activity. She told students this is a dark day in the history of the university. Fox has issued a video statement saying her administration remains sensitive to the situation, and its working to find solutions based on the students’ demands.
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