INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis says they are investigating after a student found a swastika on the wall of her dorm room while she was moving in this week.
Shira Sasson posted on social media after finding the marks on her wall, saying she was disappointed in what she found.
"When my sister and I walked in to move into our new dorm room it was found on our walls," Sasson said. "It was very upsetting to say the least."
Sasson says she isn't sure if they were targeted or if it was left over from someone who may have used the room over the summer. "No other room had one, I just don't know what to think."
She says after her post and reaching out the university has been helpful and they are working with them to find out the source of the markings.
UIndy President Robert Manuel issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they are working to determine the "source of this anti-Semitic act."
"We will not condone any behavior that impedes our efforts at creating an environment founded on the principles of equity and inclusion," Manuel said.
The students were provided alternate accommodations, according to Manuel, and they are reviewing the organizations and individuals who rented their housing facilities over the summer to determine who had access to that room.
"As part of our immediate response, professionals in our University's counseling center will be available to meet with anyone who has been affected by this incident. In addition, our University Chaplains are available for consultations as needed," the statement reads.
Manuel also said the university has been in contact with the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council "to ensure that we are working together to create appropriate responses, and discuss ways to create learning moments for our campus community."
Read the full statement from UIndy below.
Last night, a swastika was found on the wall of one of our campus Residence Halls at the University of Indianapolis. We are saddened and angered by this act of hate and bigotry. Although we do not yet know the source of this anti-Semitic act, we should all be reminded that the University of Indianapolis is a welcoming and inclusive environment, denounces actions such as these, and does not tolerate anti-Semitic actions or any behavior that is aligned with ideologies that promote hate. We will not condone any behavior that impedes our efforts at creating an environment founded on the principles of equity and inclusion.
Our approach to this incident was to immediately protect the students and ensure that they were provided alternate accommodations, start an in-depth investigation to review the thousands of individuals from outside organizations that rented our housing facilities over the summer, and to determine who else had access to the room. As part of our immediate response, professionals in our University's counseling center will be available to meet with anyone who has been affected by this incident. In addition, our University Chaplains are available for consultations as needed.
The University of Indianapolis has been in contact with Lindsey Mintz, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, to ensure that we are working together to create appropriate responses, and discuss ways to create learning moments for our campus community.
It is our expectation that each member of the University of Indianapolis will continue to share their voice in ways that are respectful, thoughtful, and inclusive. It is important, at this time, that we reaffirm our commitment to our core values of equity, inclusion and respect, and work together to defend them. Collectively, we must maintain the welcoming and respectful community we enjoy as we learn, work and live. We will continue to create many opportunities to share, discuss and learn from each other about topics and issues that relate to equity and inclusion and reflect the rich diversity of our University and our world, and will look to continue education with students, faculty and staff. Every member of this University is a valued individual and there is never a place on our campus for expressions of hate and bigotry. Actions such as these displayed yesterday evening on our campus will not be tolerated by the University of Indianapolis and should not be tolerated anywhere in our nation.
