(November 7, 2008)--Baylor University Interim President David Garland said in a statement issued Friday that campus police have identified “a number of students” who were involved in a post-election disturbance late Tuesday night and said referrals are expected to the school’s department of judicial affairs.
“The evidence we have obtained suggests that a small number of individuals on our campus were responsible for the events of Tuesday evening,” Garland said in the statement e-mailed to students, faculty and staff.
Racial tensions flared on the campus Tuesday after the discovery of a noose hanging from a tree.
There were also claims that Obama-Biden campaign signs were burned in a barbecue pit next to a campus housing-complex.
White and black students exchanged words late Tuesday night near the university’s Student Union Building, but campus police said the confrontation did not escalate into physical violence.
In the statement Friday, Garland said Baylor police have the rope that was discovered hanging from a tree.
He said it’s about 10 feet in length and has “a crude know forming a loop at the end.”
He said police are trying to determine the rope’s origin.
However, Garland said, “police have not been able to produce any solid evidence that Obama/Biden campaign signs were burned in the barbecue pit adjacent to Brooks Flats.”
Instead, officers determined that empty computer boxes were burned, Garland said.
No additional incidents have been reported, Garland said, adding, “Any rumors to the contrary are absolutely false.
As I have said previously, racist acts of any kind will not be tolerated at Baylor,” Garland said Friday.
Baylor officials are launching a series of initiatives “to foster open and honest discussion,” Garland said, including a weekly meeting focused on the events of this week and a presentation from the school’s Bias Motivated Incident Support Team during chapel services on Wednesday.
The team was set up to give students a safe and confidential way to report incidents and get help in addressing them, Garland said.
A prayer rally for unity on campus is also scheduled Wednesday.
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