2008 Woodie Awards
Nooses found in classroom, students questioned
Police offer $500 reward for information about Monday incident
By: Alex Piazza
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
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Central Michigan University Police are questioning students and employees after someone found four hangman nooses inside a classroom Monday.
A student found the nooses after walking into Engineering and Technology Building room 228, said Police Chief Stan Dinius.
The student reported the findings to a staff member who forwarded the information to police at 1:15 p.m. Monday.
"At this time, we have no idea why someone would put them up there," Dinius said. "There are several people who operate in that room. It's an open lab where people can go at any time."
Dinius said the nooses were made of flexible compressed gas lines that are used for laboratory work. Officers have removed the nooses from a cabinet in which they were hanging from and sealed them up for use as evidence.
An air hose valve, underneath the cabinets, where the nooses were hung also was removed.
CMU Police are offering anyone with information about the case a $500 reward. They can call 774-3081 or a tip line at 774-1874.
The university sent out a press release Wednesday evening regarding the incident.
In a statement released by the university Thursday afternoon, CMU's high-ranking officials indicated they will not tolerate these types of hateful actions.
"The legacy of discrimination is embodied in those nooses, and it is a legacy that we must aggressively strive to discontinue," the statement said. "We are not in agreement with continuing this legacy of hatred and discrimination and affirm that we have benefited from the courage of those who are willing to ensure fairness and equality for all human beings. We hope everyone will use this despicable occurrence as an opportunity to learn and talk about the importance of inclusion - something most of us know is right and want."
Tony Voisin, director of Student Life, said it is too early to determine any sort of punishment facing those who constructed and hung the nooses.
"Until we know it's targeted at an individual, it's hard to figure out what direction we move," Voisin said. "Certainly, if we found out it was targeted toward an individual, the Code of Conduct could come into effect."
A student found the nooses after walking into Engineering and Technology Building room 228, said Police Chief Stan Dinius.
The student reported the findings to a staff member who forwarded the information to police at 1:15 p.m. Monday.
"At this time, we have no idea why someone would put them up there," Dinius said. "There are several people who operate in that room. It's an open lab where people can go at any time."
Dinius said the nooses were made of flexible compressed gas lines that are used for laboratory work. Officers have removed the nooses from a cabinet in which they were hanging from and sealed them up for use as evidence.
An air hose valve, underneath the cabinets, where the nooses were hung also was removed.
CMU Police are offering anyone with information about the case a $500 reward. They can call 774-3081 or a tip line at 774-1874.
The university sent out a press release Wednesday evening regarding the incident.
In a statement released by the university Thursday afternoon, CMU's high-ranking officials indicated they will not tolerate these types of hateful actions.
"The legacy of discrimination is embodied in those nooses, and it is a legacy that we must aggressively strive to discontinue," the statement said. "We are not in agreement with continuing this legacy of hatred and discrimination and affirm that we have benefited from the courage of those who are willing to ensure fairness and equality for all human beings. We hope everyone will use this despicable occurrence as an opportunity to learn and talk about the importance of inclusion - something most of us know is right and want."
Tony Voisin, director of Student Life, said it is too early to determine any sort of punishment facing those who constructed and hung the nooses.
"Until we know it's targeted at an individual, it's hard to figure out what direction we move," Voisin said. "Certainly, if we found out it was targeted toward an individual, the Code of Conduct could come into effect."
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
Rob J. Peters
posted 11/16/07 @ 7:42 AM EST
What exactly are they teaching at Central Michigan University?
Now we hear there were nooses found, last week it was flyers attacking Muslims, before that Native Americans, then graffitti was painted on one of the buildings claiming "Jesus hates your iPods. (Continued…)
John Tuttle
posted 11/16/07 @ 8:38 AM EST
In a statement released by the university Thursday afternoon, CMU's high-ranking officials indicated they will not tolerate these types of hateful actions. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 11/16/07 @ 11:21 AM EST
All you can do is hope for a brighter day at sunrise
But don't forget that only One will hear your cries
All you do is speak falsehood and tell lies
you're like a devil in disguise a wolf in sheep's clothing. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 11/17/07 @ 1:07 PM EST
Swatizas and "God hates fags" airbrushed on buildings, anti-Muslim pamphlets, and nooses. There is a lot of hate in the small town of Mt. Pleasant. When the crime involving a few of the players(African Americans) from the CMU football team that was off campus in a bar, you better believe that event was very publicized. (Continued…)
Student
posted 11/18/07 @ 6:49 PM EST
As the New York Post said, "The noose is a hateful symbol of a shameful chapter in American history. But responding to it by doing violence to the First Amendment gives the bigots a dangerous victory. (Continued…)
Student mother
posted 11/19/07 @ 12:21 AM EST
I am a proud mother of a cmu student that is african american and I think that its disgusting to here about all the hate that so near to my home town of Saginaw. (Continued…)
Louise Daniels
posted 11/19/07 @ 3:21 PM EST
This just allows left-wing loonies at CMU to impose their utopian political agenda on campus. Why do they people only express their outrage when it benefits their agenda?
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