Intercom

Dear Ithaca College Community,

It is with immense anguish and indignation that we share that three more swastika symbols were found on Friday, November 4, inside two practice rooms in the Whalen Center for Music.

Let me be clear: These cowardly and despicable actions, as condemned recently by the IC Faculty Council, will not be tolerated. 

The Office of Public Safety is investigating these incidents. Those found responsible for committing or assisting in these reprehensible acts of hate will be held accountable.

We believe that there are people on our campus who have knowledge of these disturbing crimes and we urge those with any information to contact Public Safety at 607-274-3333 or leave an anonymous voicemail message at 607-274-1060. We also strongly encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses a bias incident on campus, via social media, virtually, or at a college-affiliated event, to file a Bias Impact Report.

We understand that you may be feeling heightened anxiety due to these events. We wish to assure you that video cameras – which were ordered in April and were significantly delayed due to supply chain issues – are expected to arrive within the next two weeks and are scheduled to be installed prior to or during the Thanksgiving Break.

Last year, Ithaca College participated in the Hillel international Campus Climate Initiative (CCI). One of the recommendations out of this initiative was to convene a group to review, prioritize, and implement the recommendations from the CCI process.

To this end, we have convened a Task Force on Antisemitism and Hate Symbols that will determine what immediate actions we need to take, as well as what longer term structural changes we can make to foster a more inclusive campus climate. 

Our team in Student Equity and Belonging, including the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and IC Hillel, have arranged for a campus-wide gathering to take place this Monday, November 7, at 5:00 p.m. in Klingenstein Lounge, Campus Center. 

And on Tuesday, November 15, a half-day event on the Historical and Contemporary Manifestations of Antisemitism and their Impact will take place in the Whalen Center for Music, as this has been the location of some of the most recent incidents. Please keep an eye on your inbox for more details in the coming days. 

We hope that you will join us in Klingenstein Lounge this Monday as we show support for one another and demonstrate our strength in the face of hate. 

With continued care and concern, and on behalf of the President’s Cabinet,

La Jerne Terry Cornish
President