Two Gettysburg swimmers suspended after reports of racial slur scratched on student

Two members of the Gettysburg College swim team have been suspended after it was revealed that one of them carved a racial slur into the body of another student, the college said in a statement.

The story was first published in the school newspaper. The Gettysburgianon Wednesday, reporting that the two students had carved a racial slur on the body of another student. However, following the report, a parent of an athlete on the team reached out to SwimSwam to say that a student had carved the slur on another student and that those students were suspended (the student who wrote the slur and the student who was written on), and that no third student was involved.

“The college has received an extremely disturbing report of a racial slur being carved into a student using a plastic or ceramic tool. This is a serious report that is being actively investigated as part of the student conduct process,” said the statement from Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Jamie Yates.

Until the study is completed, students are excluded from participating in team activities.

Local TV station WGALThe News8 team contacted Gettysburg Police. The station reported that Chief Robert Glenny Jr. said police had “contacted the college [when it heard the report] and was told that the victim had chosen to resolve the matter through the college's internal investigation process.”

At this time, the college is not releasing any further details about the incident, including the names of the students involved, because “privacy laws and the process for determining student conduct are ongoing.”

Full statement from Gettysburg College:

“The College has received an extremely disturbing report that a student was carved with a racial slur using a plastic or ceramic tool. This is a serious report that is being actively investigated as part of the Student Conduct process. At this time, the students involved will not participate in swim team activities pending the outcome of the Student Conduct process. Due to privacy laws and the ongoing nature of the Student Conduct process, we are unable to provide any further details.”

In an email to the campus community, the president of Gettysburg wrote Robert Iuliano said that a senior student on the team reported the incident to the school. Iuliano thanked the person for reporting it.

“I want to emphasize my deep dismay at what has happened, its impact on those who have long been underrepresented on this campus, and its consequences for a community that continues its efforts to create a truly inclusive environment,” Iuliano said.

In fall 2024, 71.8% of Gettysburg College's full-time, degree-seeking domestic students will identify as white, while 12.6% will identify as Hispanic or Latino, 5.5% will identify as black, and 2.2% will identify as Asian.

Iuliano's letter

Dear Campus Community,

Some of you have heard by now about a student conduct report that was recently filed with the College. The report stems from an incident in which a student carved a racial slur on another student during an informal gathering in a campus residence hall. I would like to point out that it was the senior students on the swim team who first reported the incident, and we thank them for bringing it to the College's attention.

I want to express my deep dismay at what has happened, its impact on those who have long been underrepresented on this campus, and its consequences for a community that continues its efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.

Regardless of relationship or motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade or exclude a person because of their identity and history.

Please understand that the College cannot comment on an ongoing investigation in which witnesses are being interviewed and important information has not yet been determined. In addition, we are limited in discussing a student-related matter that is governed by federal privacy laws. I realize the lack of details about this incident may be frustrating, and we ask for your patience.

At times like these, we may be tempted to speculate about what happened based on fragments of information that may or may not be accurate. Instead, I would urge us to follow our established process for assessing student conduct. I have every confidence in its ability to conduct a thorough investigation and, in conjunction with College Life and Athletics, respond appropriately to the investigation's findings.

Let us also focus on our shared responsibility to foster a truly inclusive environment and uphold our mission statement that underscores who we are: A vibrant educational environment begins with an unwavering commitment to the “worth and dignity of all people.” We can only realize the full potential in ourselves and in those around us when we respect the common humanity of others in all our interactions.

As a community, we will learn from this and renew our commitment to support those who need it most.

As a reminder, below is a list of campus resources:

• If you experience or observe an act of bias, please report it as soon as possible.
• All students – counseling and wellness services [email protected] or 717-337-6960
• All staff and students – Diversity and Inclusion, Eloísa Gordon-Mora at [email protected] or 717-337-6376
• All Students – College Life, Cristina Garcia an [email protected] or 717-337-6921
• All employees – Human Resources, Employment Assistant Program at [email protected] or 717-337-6202
• All Faculties – Office of the Provost, Michelle Schmidt at [email protected] or 717-337-6840

Sincerely,

Robert Iuliano

president