Western Investigates Incidents of Antisemitism on Campus

University Police are investigating two recent incidents of antisemitism on campus.

On Monday, staff discovered several damaged books marked with antisemitic language in Jewish Studies sections on the third floor of Wilson Library.

In another incident, a swastika this week was discovered on a poster outside a faculty member’s door in the Communications Facility building.

University leaders condemned the antisemitism and urged anyone with knowledge of the incidents to contact University Police.

“Antisemitism and other acts of racism, bias and hate have no place at Western,” said Western President Sabah Randhawa.

Mark Greenberg, dean of Libraries at Western, said that, “The intentional destruction or theft of library materials aimed at silencing voices cannot stand.  This type of deplorable behavior has a long and dark history and requires our active resistance.  The Western Libraries will take steps to restore, replace, and even expand content in the face of deliberate efforts to silence authors and prevent learning.”

Anyone with information about these, or any other bias-motivated vandalism or behaviors, is urged to contact University Police at (360) 650-3555 or the WWU Equal Opportunity (EO) Office at (360) 650-3307. 

Individuals who prefer to make an anonymous report may call the University Police anonymous reporting line at (360) 650-SAFE or use the EO Office`s Bias Incident Reporting Form at http://www.wwu.edu/eoo/bias-incident-response.shtml. 

The EO Office, in partnership with University Police, is monitoring and identifying trends regarding hate graffiti on campus.
If you have personally experienced antisemitism or any form of discrimination, you have a right to file a discrimination complaint with the EO Office. Prompt reporting allows the university to investigate incidents, remove symbols of hate, and resolve complaints.  Please also know that the Counseling Center is available to students as a resource, and that employees may utilize the Employee Assistance Program.

In response to incidents of antisemitic graffiti on campus last year, a task force recommended ways to educate our community about antisemitism. The final report and recommendations are at: http://www.wwu.edu/provost/initiatives/index.shtml