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Third Report Of Racism Hits Purdue

Last updated on Monday, April 22, 2013

(WEST LAFAYETTE) - Purdue police are continuing to investigate the third act of racist vandalism on Purdue’s Campus

WLFI reports, Police Chief John Cox said the words "white supremacy" were found in the Black Cultural Center.

Cox said it will likely be categorized as a bias incident, because no permanent damage was done.

"There was some discussion by staff that indicated that it could have been possibly left over from a class that had been in there," said Cox. "We have since contacted the instructor who has since told us it wasn't her handwriting. The investigation is ongoing."

According to the FBI, Purdue had the second highest number of reported hate crimes among the country's colleges in 2011. There were seven hate crimes reported, five of which dealt with race.

Last September, the "n" word was found written in a classroom in a Krannert library, and in February of 2012, professor Dr. Cornell Bell's picture was defaced with the "n" word in Krannert.

Black Graduate Student Association President Tyrell Conner said the report didn't surprise him.

"But it surprised a lot of administrators," said Conner. "I think that's interesting because you can see that kind of disconnect because they don't live on the grounds as far as students do and especially underrepresented minorities and those international students that experience this on a daily basis."

For that reason, Conner said a group on Purdue's campus is planning to march through campus and hold a peaceful demonstration Monday.

Conner said Purdue administrators aren't doing enough to address the racist acts on campus. He's hoping Monday's march will catch the attention of Purdue President Mitch Daniels and administrators.

He says all participants will be wearing black for solidarity and carrying candles.

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