2nd racist defacement found in same Purdue building

PURDUE UNIVERSITY, Ind. (WLFI) - "Whoever put that up there probably isn't going very many places in life so they can do whatever they want to do," Purdue student Dubem Mbeledogu said.

"I think it's sad and disappointing that there's so much ignorance here," Purdue student Jeff Ooms said.

Students are speaking out about a second racially charged incident that happened inside Krannert Hall. A Purdue spokesperson said two witnesses saw a group of men write the "n" word on a whiteboard in the Roland G. Parrish Library. 

Purdue police investigated the case and eventually turned it over to the Dean of Students. Because using discriminatory language isn't against the law the persons responsible will not be charged.

Vice Provost for Diversity Dr. Christine Taylor said an act of racism like this doesn't belong at Purdue.

"Our house is a Purdue community and those behaviors that would lead someone to feel like, 'I don't belong, I'm not a part.' (They) that are discriminatory, that are harassing, they do not belong. No not in our house," Taylor said.

This is the second incident in which a racial slur was found in the Krannert building in less than a year. 

In February a picture of Dr.Cornell Bell inside Krannert was defaced with the "n" word. Taylor said dealing with another bias incident, the term for both incidents is shaking the Purdue community.
 
"That we have these two incidents so closely together, I think we're all stunned about that," Taylor said.

Krannert spokeswoman Charlene Sullivan said faculty are considering installing surveillance cameras in the building. Sullivan said if that isn't an option they may have to limit access to the building.

"If we can't have cameras everywhere all the time and we can't have staff always in place, sort of monitoring behavior all the time, then can we afford to have our facilities open as much as we do," Sullivan said.

Vice Provost for Diversity Dr. Christine Taylor said the Dean of Students will determine what disciplinary actions are necessary for the people they think wrote the racial slur on the board.

Sigma Nu Fraternity at Purdue released a statement today about the bias incident, but would not confirm any involvement.

A Purdue representative did confirm members of Sigma Nu Fraternity have been interviewed by Purdue Police following the incident.