2008 Woodie Awards
Campus fallout continues over anti-semitism
Ryan Johnson
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: News
Anti-Semitic harassment that occurred in UND residence halls this spring have recently received considerable attention by local media outlets, with some students and faculty in the university arguing that the administration hasn't done enough to address what they consider to be a hate crime.
UND Police Department officials stated that they had nearly completed investigating one aspect of this harassment late last week, adding that they continue to look for a lead in a separate case that involved derogatory graffiti on a wall in one of the dorms.
Reaction to hate
University President Charles Kupchella said that he received a verbal telephone report that there was an "incident," as it was described to him at the time. He was also informed that it was under investigation and a report would be issued on the matter quickly.
He was later told that the investigation was expanded after initially talking with a few students in the residence halls. So far, between 200 and 300 students have been interviewed by the police regarding the incidents.
Kupchella said that for the most part, he was informed about the cases in "bits and pieces" by authorities. He added that the investigation, considered too slow by some, is taking its time to make sure that enough information is gathered to understand the matter.
"Obviously, it's our obligation to make sure we get the whole truth and get that framed up, even though that takes too much time as some would see it," he said. "There's no other way than to make sure that when we act, we know why we acted."
He also said that he intends to personally discuss the incidents with some people were closely involved. "I need to ultimately meet some of the victims of these crimes, and talk to them to get more firsthand information about what actually happened to them," he said.
As of Thursday, Kupchella had still not received a final report on the investigation. Earlier that day, he had met with a group of people for the first time that is concerned about the university's response to the incidents.
UND Police Department officials stated that they had nearly completed investigating one aspect of this harassment late last week, adding that they continue to look for a lead in a separate case that involved derogatory graffiti on a wall in one of the dorms.
Reaction to hate
University President Charles Kupchella said that he received a verbal telephone report that there was an "incident," as it was described to him at the time. He was also informed that it was under investigation and a report would be issued on the matter quickly.
He was later told that the investigation was expanded after initially talking with a few students in the residence halls. So far, between 200 and 300 students have been interviewed by the police regarding the incidents.
Kupchella said that for the most part, he was informed about the cases in "bits and pieces" by authorities. He added that the investigation, considered too slow by some, is taking its time to make sure that enough information is gathered to understand the matter.
"Obviously, it's our obligation to make sure we get the whole truth and get that framed up, even though that takes too much time as some would see it," he said. "There's no other way than to make sure that when we act, we know why we acted."
He also said that he intends to personally discuss the incidents with some people were closely involved. "I need to ultimately meet some of the victims of these crimes, and talk to them to get more firsthand information about what actually happened to them," he said.
As of Thursday, Kupchella had still not received a final report on the investigation. Earlier that day, he had met with a group of people for the first time that is concerned about the university's response to the incidents.
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Jack
Jack
posted 4/30/08 @ 5:10 AM CST
This article is a disappointment to say the least. No one from the Jewish Student Organization is interviewed so it misses the very point: while President Kupchella says a great deal of things, most are empty and the rest have been forced onto him via external pressure. (Continued…)
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