Syracuse University has suspended a fraternity and halted fraternity activities for the rest of the semester in the aftermath of a string of at least 10 anti-Semitic and other racist incidents since Nov. 7, announced the school’s president on Sunday.
“Last night, one of our African-American students reported being subjected to a verbal racial epithet from a group of students and visitors to our campus,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud in a statement. “This report of an affront to our student’s—and our whole community’s—safety and well-being is the latest incident of several against Jews, Asians and African-Americans.”
An African-American female was reportedly verbally being called the “N word” by a large group of individuals, according to the university’s department of public safety. There was no physical altercation.
“Some of the individuals involved are members and guests of a Syracuse University fraternity,” noted Syverud.
One of the incidents was graffiti depicting a swastika being found on Nov. 14 at a snowbank across from a luxury apartment complex where students live. Two days later, another swastika was found, this time inside a student dormitory.
That same day, racist graffiti was discovered in a bathroom targeting Asians.
A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible, according to Syracuse University’s department of public safety chief Bobby Maldonado, who said that the amount is from a “generous donor.”