Oracle Online

One of the worst aspects of these acts of intolerance is the disruption of the sense of community on the floor and in the building. Jensen said she has felt a difference in the attitudes of residents. She said they are sick of having posters lying on the floor, sick of graffiti, sick of meetings. When one person or group of people does not feel safe, no one feels safe. Most of these incidents have not been directed at one specific person, but it is still threatening to all.

The Community Response Team was also notified. This group of people, mainly administration, helps decide what to do when something like a major injury, suicide, or hate incident occurs within the university community. After a hate incident last year, the CLA and School of Law GLBT and Allies groups collaborated to organize a rally. Most of these students, Klein said, were not part of the GLBT community, but allies. “It was neat to see allies standing up and doing something,” she said. This year, a few students have come forward with information, but without catching people in the act, creating awareness is really all that can be done.

If someone were to be caught taking part in these activities, they would go through the judicial process. This very “victim driven” policy involves a judicial board made up of both faculty and students who would judge the damage and make the decision on how to punish the offender. The punishment could be anything from education to outright expulsion. Alcohol is not an excuse. If an incident is directed at a certain person, the victim’s word is always taken, and they get to help in the decision making process. This system is complicated by the fact that people do not always report acts of intolerance. People must speak up and report if there is to be any repercussions to these events. Reports can be to RAs, CAs, Safety and Security, or Residential Life.

Klein said she hopes that if a few people start being more aware and vocal against destruction of property and for communal well-being, more and more will catch on and eventually these can be stopped. RAs have started watching people a little more carefully, and so should residents, Jensen said. Being observant, noticing if something is not quite right, confronting suspicious people or activities, and taking responsibility for your actions is how these are going to end, Klein said.

“I believe in ripples,” Klein said. “If you see it, say something.” She said reporting hate incidents as soon as they are noticed is the best way to combat the continuance of these acts of intolerance.