SMU PD is investigating a report of a swastika found in a men’s bathroom in Umphrey Lee on Friday, Aug. 29.
Journalism professor Charlie Scudder noticed the symbol inscribed on a bathroom stall wall around 8:45 a.m. The swastika was about an inch in length and had scribbles covering it.
Scudder said he does not know who notified SMU PD. An officer interrupted his 9 a.m. class to interview him and launched an investigation.
A custodian entered the bathroom at approximately 10:16 a.m. She told The Daily Campus that she did not notice the symbol when she was inside and was there for routine cleaning.
At 10:30 a.m., the symbol was found covered with a small piece of paper and clear tape. By 2:00 p.m., SMU facilities had removed the tape and painted over it.
In an email to The Daily Campus, Anthony De Bruyn, director of strategic communications, issued the following statement:
“Campus police responded to a report of an approximately one-inch swastika drawn on a public restroom stall in Umphrey Lee. Facilities crews promptly removed it. We are committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all, and such hateful acts are unacceptable and have no place in our community. This is an active police investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact SMU Police at 214-768-3388.”
According to De Bruyn, there are no other reports of related symbols or hate speech on campus at this time.
Rabbi Heidi Coretz, assistant chaplain for Jewish life and executive director of Hillel at SMU, was saddened by the discovery.
“It’s a terribly sad and upsetting situation that somebody has done something so hurtful and harmful on campus at SMU,” Coretz said. “This is a campus where every Mustang should be valued, and for the most part, is valued.”
A similar incident occurred last May, where political graffiti against the Jewish community was found in a Meadows music practice room. Coretz is thankful for the swift response from SMU PD in both matters.
“From what I remember, it was the same very swift response,” Coretz said. “SMU PD is an excellent campus partner, a most devoted partner to the Jewish community. Always has been and continues to be.”
Matthew Wynne, an executive board member of Hillel at SMU and Alpha Epsilon Pi, appreciates SMU’s support and the strong sense of community on campus in light of the incident.
“We’re very grateful to have the support of the administration as well as Hillel, Chabad, having an AEPi here,” Wynne said. “It’s really helped make Jews feel more welcome here, and we see more Jews coming here every year, which is really great for us to see.”
President Jay Hartzell told The Daily Campus after Hillel’s Shabbat dinner on Friday evening that the university is continuing to investigate.
“I hate to see signs of antisemitism on campus, and we’re doing all we can to try to figure out who did that and what the next steps are,” Hartzell said. “I was even more appreciative about the chance to be around the Shabbat dinner on this day because, in part, of the tough things that happened.”
The Daily Campus has reached out to SMU PD for more details, and we will update this story as information becomes available.
