<p>I heard about this on NPR during my drive home this evening. Very disturbing and very sad. I hope the perpetrators weren't University of Maryland students, but it is a sad commentary on how little things have changed when it comes to race relations in the United States.</p>
<p>I don't believe that there are any suspects. The campus response seems to have been quick; but, it doesn't make it any less disturbing. This is the president's letter posted on the website:</p>
<p>To Members of the University Community:
Late last Friday, it was reported to University Police that a rope that appeared to be tied as a noose was spotted in a tree near our Nyumburu Cultural Center, home to many of our African-American and multicultural student and staff organizations. No notes, scrawls or written messages have been found. An investigation of a possible hate crime commenced immediately, consistent with University policy, and I activated our standing Incident Response Team—a small team of University leaders who meet following any crisis—to oversee the internal and external responses to the incident and ensure that key concerns are addressed. </p>
<p>I directed the team to take the situation seriously, to deploy all available resources to the investigation, and to help the community feel safe and supported through the investigation. The police investigation has been extensive. After completing dozens of interviews, reviewing hundreds of hours of videotape from nearby cameras, and examining the limited available evidence at the scene with the help of a federal forensics lab, no suspects have been identified. The police believe that the case will only be solved through leads gathered from the campus community about specific motives and/or responsible individuals. </p>
<p>The Incident Response Team has also focused on the concerns and needs of the community. In addition to a campus-wide crime alert that was issued within hours of the first police report, I also communicated directly with the entire University in the email message at this link: <a href="http://www.umd.edu/umnews/090807statement.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.umd.edu/umnews/090807statement.html</a>. Throughout the week, the team met with student and staff leaders from a variety of organizations, heard their concerns, and included them in updates on the status of the investigation. The student leaders arranged two open forums to provide a platform for others to express their concerns about the incident and related campus issues. Both meetings were well attended, and though heated, were also focused, and proactive. Members of the team provided organizational support to our student groups as we have worked through this week together. The constructive tone of the forums and the seriousness with which we have treated this possible hate crime have been evident in the subsequent media coverage. </p>
<p>I appreciate your strong concern in the face of this incident. Rest assured that we will continue to investigate it and keep the campus community posted on any new developments. </p>
<p>Sincerely, </p>
<p>C. D. Mote, Jr., President </p>
<p>Contacts:
In general, if you are concerned about safety, contact the UM Police Department (911 for emergencies; 301.405.3555 for non-emergencies). </p>
<p>In general, if you feel you have been discriminated against, contact Roger Candelaria, Campus Compliance Officer, Office of Human Relations at 301.405.2839. </p>
<p>In the residence halls, notify your resident assistant or resident director of an incident. They will immediately respond to the incident and provide you with further support. </p>
<p>Any other concerns can be directed to Warren Kelley, 301.314.8431, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Dr. Kelley can help you access a number of options and channels specifically designed to respond to hate incidents and harassment.</p>
<p>I wonder if whoever did this was emboldened by the events that have been unfolding in Jena, Louisiana in recent months.</p>
<p>Let's just remember that it only takes one and not try to condemn all of the students.</p>
<p>This is terrorism. This should be treated as a terrorist act. All resources should be employed because this is terrorism. Punishment for this act, should be the same as for terrorism.</p>
<p>Terrorism? That's quite a bit different than what this is.</p>
<p>"Let's just remember that it only takes one and not try to condemn all of the students."</p>
<p>(looking around in dismay) Whoever was it that condemned "all the students" at the University of Maryland for this sick act?</p>
<p>Let's not even assume it was necessarily a student. </p>
<p>The University of Maryland campus is readily accessible from Washington, DC by public transportation. </p>
<p>Anyone could have done this.</p>
<h1>6. I believe that by any one's definition that this is an act of terrorism, unless somehow we have a new definition.</h1>
<p>thisoldman - I always turn to the AntiDefamation League website, which addresses a broad range of incidents and hate crimes. They've been at it for nearly a century. Reading the EXCELLENT website from their organization gives me helpful perspective, useful language for different kinds of incidents, and a sense that I'm not alone.
Recently, ADL has become so good at tracking hate groups online that the FBI now consults them as one of their sources.</p>