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Speculation arises on noose incident |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
by BRANDON BROWN
News Reporter
Rumors are circulating throughout the Appalachian State University campus alleging there is much more to the Feb. 8 noose incident than the university has disclosed.
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock’s campus-wide e-mail sent March 19 stated a noose was “displayed” on campus “recently,” but neglected to mention the whereabouts and the context of the noose.
While the police report – which was filed with University Police – states the noose was found in Chapel
Wilson Hall, several anonymous sources claim the noose belonged to a professor and was used as a
teaching tool.
These sources also said a disgruntled student – who had prior knowledge of the noose on display –
was either let into or broke into the professor’s office after hours and took pictures of a Michael Vick
action figure that was suspended by the noose.
An anonymous source, who was self-described as being “very, very close” to the involved professor,
said the noose had been in the office for two years before incident.
“I know for a fact the chancellor knows what really happened,” a source close to the professor said.
“[The administration] completely mishandled the situation.”
Vice Chancellor of Student Development Cindy A. Wallace, said she has heard a great deal of
discussion about the noose’s presence prior to the latest incident and about the noose being used as a
teaching tool, but wouldn’t comment on whether pictures were taken or what character was depicted by
the action figure.
Despite anonymous claims that a student committed a crime, University Police Chief Gunther Doerr
said “no criminal violations were discovered in [University Police] investigations.”
Doerr said the police report was turned over to the District Attorney’s office after the University Police’s
review, where the notion that no crime was committed was upheld.
“At this point, the case has been closed,” Doerr said. “There’s been no further action as far as police
are concerned.”
Wallace said she could not answer whether any students or faculty have been reprimanded because of
the incident.
Two open-forum, counseling sessions were held following the chancellor’s announcement of the noose
incident, one of which was held the same day as the press release was distributed and the other
occurring the following day.
Tracey L. Wright, director of multicultural student development, said five students appeared at the first
session and four appeared at the second.
Wright said she and two staff psychologists were on hand to talk to students about their feelings on the
issue.
Wright said while students at the sessions were inquiring about the details regarding the incident, she
was unable to disclose information outside of the press release and police report.
“I understand why there is frustration with the lack of information made available,” Wright said. “I also
understand the need to exercise a duty of care to all individuals involved in the situation.”
Wallace said the decision to distribute the press release five weeks after the incident occurred is a
“real statement of understanding the complexity of this situation and an attempt to bank a very
thoughtful, informed decision and not rush to judgment.”
Wallace said the university sought legal advice on which details should be made public and which
should be left confidential.
“I’m one of those people that has always felt like the more information you have to understand a
situation, the more thorough the understanding can be,” Wallace said. “But [the administration is] bound
by law to certain privacy restraints. This is a difficult time to establish that balance.”
Anonymous sources said the university instructed those who knew about the situation in the sociology
department to remain quiet on the issue and that their jobs were threatened.
“We have never [instructed the faculty to remain silent],” Wallace said. “We don’t have the right to say
that. Our responsibility is to control the confidentiality issues that we feel we have been charged with
protecting.”
Dr. Edward Folts, the chairperson of the sociology department, would not comment on any allegations
put forth by the anonymous sources.
“Given the unusual variables, the complexity…I think we handled it well,” Wallace said.
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