Student accused of scratching racial slur onto student athlete at Pennsylvania college

At Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, a member of the swim team was accused of scratching a racial slur into another student's chest. According to Anne Ehrlich, vice president for college life, the alleged offender is no longer enrolled.

Ehrlich, Newsweek's Khaleda Rahman reports, e-mailed an update on Sunday, September 22, reporting that the college's investigation of the incident "is nearing its conclusion."

Ehrlich wrote, "This was a serious situation that required a thorough and thoughtful investigation, and we thank the community for their patience as we worked through our process. This will be our final communication concerning the student conduct process related to this matter."

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The incident, Rahman notes, was first reported by members of the campus swim team.

In a statement sent to the student newspaper on September 20, members of the victim's family said, "It is important to note that he was the only person of color at this gathering. The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student-athlete, someone he considered his friend, someone whom he trusted. This student used a box cutter to etch the N-word across his chest."

A joint statement from Gettysburg College and the victim's family was issued two days later.

According to that statement, "Those conversations have already begun and will continue. Both parties understand that this process will take time and are committed to working together. The college and the family both recognize the gravity and seriousness of this situation and hope it can serve as a transformative moment for our community and beyond."

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Newsweek's full article is available at this link.