More Books Vandalized at WWU; University to Bolster Collection with New Additions, Re-shelving Ceremony April 10

A week after an incident of antisemitic vandalism that saw several books in the Jewish Studies section of Western Washington University’s Wilson Library damaged, WWU Dean of Libraries Mark Greenberg said today that more vandalism has occurred and more books in this section have been damaged.

University Police image of the one of the books recently vandalized in the in the Jewish Studies section of Western Washington University’s Wilson Library.
University Police continue to investigate the incidents, and will be conducting increased foot patrols in and around Wilson Libraries during all daytime and evening hours as a result.

“These demonstrations of hate and intolerance have sparked outrage in our campus community, and this type of behavior has no place on a campus that is unequivocally committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice,” said Greenberg.

WWU President Sabah Randhawa echoed Greenberg’s thoughts.

“Western is opposed to everything these hateful acts of vandalism represent, which are all the more distressing because they have occurred in the library, the center of our academic environment, and involve the very objects that represent education itself,” said Randhawa. “While we are increasing security measures to prevent future incidents and apprehend those responsible, as an educational institution we also have a broader social responsibility to help eradicate antisemitism and all forms of bigotry, bias and hate.”

Greenberg said the university was continuing its efforts to not only replace the damaged books but grow the collection in response to the vandalism.

“We have already had a number of donations from the community, which is wonderful and for which we are deeply grateful,” he said.

The new additions to the collection will be unveiled at a Reshelving Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10 in the Wilson Library, which the entire campus community will be invited to attend; the ceremony is scheduled to precede Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, which begins at sunset the following day and runs through April 12.

For more information about the incidents or the Reshelving Ceremony, email news@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-3350; anyone with information about the vandalism should contact University Police at (360) 650-3555.