NEWS

Allegations of anti-Semitic remarks made by two Davidson College students have surfaced on social media and in the news. Only basic information is available about the alleged remarks and the several investigations that are underway.

Last night the college twitter account posted the following::  

“Davidson College condemns bigotry and racism as antithetical to our values and our mission. We are aware of the information that has understandably raised concern, and the college is on it.”

At least one media blog post earlier today made connections between one of the students involved in the allegations and the ROTC program. As a result of someone sharing the allegations with various Army commands, the U.S. Army also issued the following statement.

“We are currently looking into this and will take action as appropriate. The message conveyed in the tweets doesn’t represent the values of Army ROTC or the U.S. Army.

Due to the close connection between the college and the town, spokeswoman Cristina Shaul, stated that the Davidson Police Department was helping the campus police.

The college shared the following letter from President Carol Quillen with the News of Davidson after we extended a request.

“Davidson friends –

The last 24 hours have been stressful for all of us because of the social media postings that emerged last evening. I want to thank you for the support you have offered each other and your faith in the strength of our community. 

I know that you very much want information about what specifically is being done and has happened. We take this very, very seriously.  The police are investigating. The two students named on social media are not on campus.  

Rumors have been circulating on social media about firearms, external demonstrations and other threats to campus. There are no credible threats to the safety of our campus and as a private institution we are not obligated to permit external groups or individuals onto our property. 

We do have an obligation, because of our values as an institution and federal law, to follow our own processes and procedures. These processes and procedures limit the amount of detail that we can provide you. What I can tell you is that your safety is our primary concern. 

Last, I have attached below a message from Dean of Students Byron McCrae that went to all students this morning, offering resources and opportunities should they feel the need to seek additional support.” 

And we also received the following statement sent out by the Dean of Students, Byron McCrae:

“Dear Students, 

President Carol Quillen issued a statement this morning concerning information involving antisemitism, racism, homophobia and other derogatory sentiments. As stated earlier, campus administrators and staff are working diligently on this situation and will keep faculty, staff and students informed throughout this process.

 In an effort to support student concerns and questions, the Division of Student Life has organized several drop-in and conservation opportunities on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November 9. While these spaces are open to all students, Student Life is also committed to offering social identity-specific conversations. Please contact [email protected] if this a resource that would be of interest to you.

The email went on to share a list of specific opportunities for students to meet with members of the staff and counselors throughout the coming days.

At News of Davidson, we spent much of the past week sharing with our readers the overwhelming supportive response to our local Jewish community in the wake of the murders at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.Townspeople gathered in somber silence and lit candles in a show of unity around the flag pole on the college campus. Last Friday night an ecumenical group attended Temple Kol Tikvah’s Shabbat Shalom service at the invitation of Rabbi Michael Shields. We are living in a time in which the town is acutely aware of possible results of anti-Semitism.

As more information becomes available about this situation, and the college’s response to it, we will report it on News of Davidson, to provide you with the facts as we know them.