Gettysburg, PA—An investigation is underway at Gettysburg College in southern Pennsylvania after a disturbing incident involving members of the men’s swim team. On Sept. 6, during a social gathering, a student allegedly used a box cutter to carve a racial slur across another student’s chest. The victim, the only person of color at the gathering, was left traumatized, according to a statement from the victim’s family.
The racial slur, which included the N-word, was written across the student’s chest in what is being described as a deeply disturbing act of racial violence. The victim’s family, speaking through a statement published Friday in The Gettysburgian, the campus newspaper, expressed shock and grief over the incident, adding that their son was subjected to the assault solely because of his race.
“This is a heartbreaking and painful moment for our family,” the statement read. “Our son was isolated as the only person of color at the event, and no one intervened to stop what happened.”
Gettysburg College Responds to Incident
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Gettysburg College community, with both students and faculty calling for swift action and accountability. The college’s administration has been actively investigating the matter, and Jamie Yates, the college’s chief communications and marketing officer, confirmed to NPR that the investigation was nearing completion. “Once it’s closed, the school plans to work with the family about how most constructively to move forward,” Yates said.
The college has not identified anyone involved by name, but it has confirmed that two students have been dismissed from the college as a result of the incident.
Victim’s Family Calls for Justice
In their statement, the victim’s family emphasized that their son was subjected to an attack of “racial hatred” and called on the college to take meaningful steps to address racism on campus. The family expressed a desire to work with the college in ensuring incidents like this never happen again. “No student should feel unsafe or targeted because of their race,” they said.
Gettysburg College’s Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Gettysburg College has a reputation for fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, but this incident has put the institution under intense scrutiny. The administration has pledged to take the issue seriously, and once the investigation concludes, they will outline steps to address racial discrimination on campus.
The community awaits the final report of the investigation, and many are looking to see what actions the college will take to ensure accountability and provide support to the affected student.