Responses
Critical Incident Message – Offensive Symbol
Apr. 20, 2021—Vanderbilt University Public Safety is investigating an incident overnight in which a large letter that was part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma front lawn display was replaced to reflect a racist acronym. At this point, it is believed the perpetrators are not affiliated with the Vanderbilt community. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, perpetrators...
Message regarding Derek Chauvin verdict
Apr. 20, 2021—
Critical Incident Message – Offensive Language
Jul. 3, 2020—The university has received multiple reports regarding an incident in which a student and member of a Greek organization was recorded using a racist slur derogatory to African Americans. Vanderbilt is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming community for all, and the matter has been referred to our Title IX and Student Discrimination office....
Critical Incident Message – Statement on the death of George Floyd
May. 29, 2020—The recent events in Minneapolis that led to the death of George Floyd have once again cast a spotlight on the challenges that African Americans and people of color face in this country. Mr. Floyd’s terrible, unnecessary and untimely death, as well as his treatment during his last seven minutes of life, again raises the existential...
Critical Incident Message – Offensive Graffiti
Dec. 17, 2019—Vanderbilt University Police are investigating the discovery near Vanderbilt’s campus of offensive graffiti intended to spread hate. The graffiti, discovered Dec. 16, was drawn in black marker on a flyer posted near the entrance of a Vanderbilt-affiliated building. The perpetrator is unknown. Vanderbilt University is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,...
Critical Incident Message – Owen Graduate School of Management Statement on Offensive Blog Post
Oct. 23, 2019—Yesterday, we posted a blog about student experiences at the National Black MBA Association Conference that compared the highly attended conference to the annual retail event Black Friday. Regardless of the intention, this was an offensive comparison and totally inappropriate. At Vanderbilt, our goal is to foster a safe, diverse and inclusive community that is...
Critical Incident Message – Vanderbilt Political Review [Updated]
Sep. 12, 2019—Updated 09/24/2019 As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, Vanderbilt University is actively engaging with students who have expressed concerns about an opinion article published in the Vanderbilt Political Review. The opinion article focused on Chinese students who are attending U.S. colleges and universities. We understand that...
Critical Incident Message – Offensive Slide
Sep. 10, 2019—Vanderbilt University has worked, and continues to work, to foster an environment in which differences are respected and all members of our community feel equal, valued and included. The university currently is investigating the planned use of offensive material in a slide from a presentation earlier this semester for an undergraduate course. When the university...
Critical Incident Message – Offensive Email
Aug. 1, 2019—Vanderbilt is committed to fostering diversity and a community in which all feel equal, valued and included. The university is investigating an email that was sent to approximately 50 students on July 31 that promotes racist stereotypes that mock or demean people of African descent. The email and its intent to harm are antithetical to...