SMU Police Department alerted the University Saturday of property damage and an alleged hate crime; President Turner submitted his response to students the following day.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, a resident student in the Cockrell-McIntosh residence hall at 5904 Bishop Blvd. reported property damage to his room as a hate crime.

An email to students said the “incident is being investigated by the SMU Police Department as criminal mischief and as a possible hate crime based on racial bias.”

University President R. Gerald Turner submitted an open letter to the SMU Student Body through The Daily Campus addressing the incident and the larger issues of intolerance that pervade the SMU community.

In the letter sent to The Daily Campus and featured today on page 4, Turner calls upon the student body to “urge any who do not embrace our values of respect for all to broaden their opinions if they wish to remain a part of this University community.”

Calling the event “disturbing and disappointing,” Turner says these “serious violations of basic human values should…result in our collective recommitment to our goal” of a community built on “a strong sense of mutual respect.”

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact the SMU Police Department at 214-768-3388. Information can also be reported anonymously, either by phone or online, through the SMU Police Department’s Silent Witness Program, at 214-SMU-2TIP or www.smu.edu/2TIP.

Students who witness hate crimes on campus can report the incident to the SMU Police Department, the Dean of Student Life Office or your Resident Assistant. SMU also offers professional help through the Counseling and Psychiatric Services and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

For more information please visit smu.edu/LiveResponsibly.