Queens University finds swastikas in on-campus residence halls, will have unity gathering
Queens University of Charlotte officials found antisemitic drawings over the last few days in residence halls on its campus, the school said on Monday.
One swastika was found drawn on a common space whiteboard. Two others were written in chalk on the doors of student homes, university spokesperson Keith Pierce said.
“These antisemitic acts are in direct violation of our Honor Code and we denounce them as they do not reflect or represent our institutional values,” the university said in a statement.
The first symbol was found Thursday night. Since then, the university has been in contact with the Jewish students affected to ensure their safety, Pierce said. The school also made additional counseling available, he said.
The university has added officers and enlisted the help of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police for perimeter and building security checks for the next several days as the investigation into the drawings continues, Pierce said.
“Queens University takes all acts of this nature very seriously,” the school said in its prepared statement. “The campus community will not allow one, or possibly two individuals, to deter our progress and pride in what we’ve created.”
The university is welcoming the public to speak about the situation at 8 p.m. Monday during its “Queens Stands for Unity” on-campus gathering in Trexler Courtyard.
“Our mission, vision and values include fostering knowledge and cultivating relationships among people with different world views, championing the dignity of all people, and working together to create a more equitable present and future,” according to the university’s statement.
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 2:48 PM.
