The University of Mississippi has launched an investigation after a video purportedly showing students making racist gestures on another student’s doorbell camera was shared on social media.
The video shows two girls making monkey sounds and gestures as they walk past a Ring camera on an apartment door. The person who posted it said her daughter’s doorbell camera captured it and that her daughter was a freshman at Ole Miss and had two black roommates, CBS affiliate WREG reported.
A university spokesperson told CBS News that it condemns the “offensive, hurtful and unacceptable behavior” depicted in the video and that the appropriate university offices and processes are actively investigating the incident.
“It is important to note that student conduct cases, records, and any potential disciplinary action are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA),” the statement said. “We are committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students, faculty, staff and visitors and will follow our processes to ensure the well-being and safety of our community.”
In a subsequent statement to students, faculty and staff, the vice chancellor for student affairs condemned the behavior depicted in the video and said it “does not reflect the values of our university or the type of community we strive to be every day.”
“The behavior depicted in this video is deeply disturbing, hurtful and unacceptable,” Shawnboda Mead said in a statement posted on the university’s website.
Mead said staff have reached out to students directly affected and will continue to support them through the process. She also acknowledged that situations like this can cause “hurt and concern” among students and assured that the matter was “taken seriously”.
Mead also urged people to think about information shared online, as a student has already been misidentified as being involved in this incident. She said that, despite online rumors, no members of the university’s academic community were involved in the incident.
“Every student deserves to feel safe, respected and valued at the University of Mississippi,” Mead said. “Racism and actions that denigrate people because of any aspect of their identity have no place in our university community.”
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