Racial Slurs Sprayed on Lehigh Residence Hall

A Lehigh University residence hall known for its commitment to campus diversity was vandalized with eggs and graffiti early Wednesday morning.

The graffiti sprayed on Umoja House, 101 Sayre Park Road, included racial slurs, according to published reports. Umoja is the Swahili word for unity and the 28-bed residence hall has been home to “underrepresented students of color” on campus, according to the university’s Website.

In an email to faculty, staff and students, Lehigh President Alice Gast called the vandalism “a cowardly and hateful act” and an “affront” to everyone in the Lehigh community.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Gast wrote. “The Lehigh Police Department has collected evidence and is investigating the incident.  I urge anyone with information on who was involved in this despicable act to contact the
campus police.”

Students also reacted by rallying at Maginnes Hall Wednesday morning, according to The Brown and White, the student newspaper. Another rally is planned at 8 p.m. tonight around the flagpole at the University Center, the newspaper said.

In her email, Gast wrote that she planned on visiting with students at Umoja House to offer her support.

The university has activated a hotline, which can be called anonymously, to encourage anyone who knows about the vandalism to call, Gast said.

A report can be filed online through http://bit.ly/1bbjnIU or by calling 888-924-4450.