By Brett Billings ’12

What may otherwise have been considered an act of ethnic intimidation was reported to the Office of Public Safety this past Tuesday, March 6 shortly before noon. A swastika was found on a bulletin board in Pardee Hall unattributed to any academic department.

Because “there is no direct victim,” according to Director of Public Safety Hugh Harris, the incident was classified as criminal mischief.

This is the second appearance of a swastika etched in a public place this semester, the first being in McKeen Hall on a student door. It is strikingly similar to the chain of unexplained incidents from last spring. Public Safety now has clear parameters from Pennsylvania State Police by which to classify such incidents.

Vice President of Campus Life and Senior Diversity Officer Celestino Limas sent an email early Thursday morning to campus email accounts seeking help regarding the investigation.

“It is clear from the strong response in the past by members of the campus community that we are all concerned and frustrated by these deeply offensive and criminal acts … for which there is absolutely zero tolerance,” read the email.