11/12/2019 Second incident in Pine Hall - Google Groups

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Second incident in Pine Hall

hanno_dennis <hanno_dennis@wheatoncollege.edu> Nov 8, 2019 11:20 AM

Posted in group: wheaton_staff

To the campus community,

I am writing to share news about a disturbing incident that took place on campus last night.

A swastika was found drawn on the white board of a second-floor room door in Pine Hall. This is now the
second incident in this residence hall over the last two weeks. I want to stress, again, that this runs counter to
our values as an institution. The swastika is a symbol of anti-Semitism, white supremacy and genocide. It
represents a threat to Jewish people, and an affront to every member of the Wheaton community.

We are making every effort to identify the person or persons responsible for violating our community’s sense of
safety, security and inclusivity. Public Safety officers responded to Pine Hall last night to canvas the building,
and they are continuing to investigate both incidents, following up every lead that they receive.

At the same time, I want you to know that supporting students remains our highest priority. Residence Life staff
met with residents in Pine Hall last evening, and they will continue to offer support and counsel to all students in
the building and on campus.

We also plan to step up security in Pine Hall. Public Safety officers will be conducting extra patrols in the
building and beyond. You can help. If you have any information that you think might be related to these
incidents, please share it. There are multiple ways to report information: via the department’s non-emergency
business line at 508-286-8213, the anonymous tip line at 508-286-5700, or by using the Live Safe App. You
may also report information to the Dean of Students Office at 508-286-8218 or submit a bias incident report.

A campuswide group of senior leaders is meeting this morning to discuss specific responses to these incidents.
During the past two weeks, staff from across the college have been planning and implementing additional
programs and support for individual students and the broader community. Meanwhile, if you or someone you
know would like support, please know that there are resources on campus for you. These include:

The Counseling Center at 508-286-3905, located at 42 Howard Street;

After hours Counseling Services at 508-286-3905;
The Center for Global Education at 508-286-4950, located at 5 Howard Street;
The Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning at 508-286-3532, located on the corner of Howard Street
and E. Main Street;
The Center for Social Justice and Community Impact at 508-286-3370, located in the Chapel Base;
The Dean of Students Office at 508-286-8218, located in Park Hall; and
Residential life staff are also available and can be reached through the number posted in your hall or via
Public Safety.

Please remember that we are stronger together. The surest way to defeat hatred and intolerance is through our
connections to each other and our support for each person’s rights and dignity. I plan to attend tonight’s
Shabbat dinner and conversation hosted by Wheaton College Hillel. I urge everyone to engage in activities that
express our unified commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity. Your participation matters greatly.

Dennis Hanno
President
Wheaton College

https://groups.google.com/a/wheatoncollege.edu/forum/print/msg/wheaton_staff/vWMoueYjdCM/rDFf8WuSAwAJ?ctz=5187824_76_76_104100_72_446760 1/1