Recent Media Coverage of Racism and Vandalism
A message to the Saint Mary's Community
Yesterday evening, ABC7 local news ran a story regarding recent incidents of racism and vandalism on our campus in one of our residence halls and restrooms. As can sometimes be the case with media reports, important, accurate facts and context were not disclosed.
Let me make this clear: Saint Mary’s does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or acts of hate in any form. We will continue our efforts to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all community members. We are guided by our , which include a respect for all persons, and we are committed to providing an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.
Over the last nine months serving as President at Saint Mary’s, I have learned so much about our community. For those getting to know me, you know that providing the best student experience is one of the most important areas of focus since I arrived. Saint Mary’s is our students’ home away from home, and we will work to ensure that every student is seen, heard, and known here—in an inclusive and safe community.
Saint Mary’s took immediate action when the incidents of vandalism and hateful language were reported. These acts violated ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s harassment and discrimination policy. The College’s Campus Safety Office and Moraga Police Department responded immediately to investigate.
In addition to the active ongoing investigation, several substantive meetings have taken place with students, SMC Student Life, and residential hall personnel. Examples of meetings, communications, and other actions include:
- Several residential meetings, a mandatory meeting with all students in the resident hall in question, follow-up visits by residential staff to those individuals who could not attend the mandatory meeting, and multiple individual student meetings with campus officials have occurred.
- Door-knock visits with students in the resident hall in question, as well as other first-year residence halls, have taken place to remind students of community standards, share avenues for reporting, and to ask specific questions about recent incidents.
- A notice was sent to the full campus community describing the incident and offering resources and information on reporting such incidents.
- Extra patrols were assigned around campus to ensure safety and to deter further incidents.
A meeting was held with the impacted student’s parents and me. I listened attentively to what the family was experiencing, offered assurance that a full investigation was underway, and presented options such as moving the student to a different residence hall. I expressed understanding should the parents wish for their student to transfer and reiterated the College’s commitment to providing a safe environment for all of its students. I tried, in this meeting, to help the family understand the time required to gather information, conduct fact-finding, conduct interviews, and pursue other investigatory steps.
After my meeting with the parents, other campus representatives emailed and called the parents to provide updates. To date, unfortunately, we have not received a response. The Chair of Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees has also communicated with the impacted student’s parents to apologize for the student's and parents’ distress, as well as to assure them of continued monitoring of the investigation’s progress.
As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further details.
Once again, Saint Mary’s College aspires to be a fully inclusive community whose students feel safe, secure, respected, and welcome. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or acts of hate in any form. Rest assured that we will continue to work diligently to ensure such vile and racist acts do not happen again, and that the impacted student is fully supported. Any student found responsible will face disciplinary action through the student conduct system.
Thank you for helping to ensure that we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all community members.
Respectfully,
Roger J. Thompson, EdD
President