Written by Kenzie Kesselring, Opinions Editor

Graffiti featuring a swastika and racially offensive language led to a swift response from VSU administration on Tuesday morning.

The VSU community received an email on Tuesday afternoon concerning what the Office of the President called “an act of intolerance” that occurred on campus.

In the email Interim President Dr. Cecil Staton wrote, “The University does not condone the behavior exhibited this morning but rather encourages inclusion of all our campus community members and civil discourse.”

Initially this email caused confusion among many students. The Valdosta Daily Times was able to pin point the cause of the email. According to the Valdosta Daily Time Staton’s email was in response to a swastika drawn on a bathroom in Nevins Hall with “#mizzoustudentsarecrybabies” and “#whitelivesmatter” written underneath.

Staton also told the Valdosta Daily Times article there are two separate investigations underway in attempts to uncover more details about the vandalism. Currently the university is not releasing any information about the investigations.

Dr. Staton did not respond of an email from The Spectator requesting more information.

In attempts to end incidents such as this and prevent future ones, Dr. Staton’s administration has set up a new Diversity Task Force. The task force will coordinate with existing groups on VSU’s campus that promote diversity and unity.

The email sent Tuesday quotes the Blazer Creed several times throughout the email to assure student, faculty, and staff that VSU does not support the hate vandalism that was committed. “A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being,” said the email quoting The Blazer Creed.

Dr. Staton used the email to encourage anyone who witnessed the vandalism to come forward. He also encouraged anyone believing they have witnessed a hate crime on campus to contact the  VSU Office of Social Equity to file a complaint.