by ANNE BAKER
News Editor

The differences between “free speech” and “hate speech” have been questioned after several recent incidents occurred on Appalachian State University’s campus.

The incidents were prompted by the outcome of the Nov. 4 presidential election where Barack Obama was elected as the nation’s 44th president.

“What [the university does not have] a handle on is, [are the events] widespread, [are they] isolated and how many of our students are affected,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dino DiBernardi said. “It’s really just a matter of trying to figure it all out."

With any election, some people will naturally be disappointed in the outcome.

However, it has come to the attention of the administration the “disappointment” has been expressed numerous times through the harassment of black students in residence halls and casual attitudes regarding assassination attempts against Obama.

Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy A. Wallace said several students encountered threatening conversations or “racially charged, horrible statements” in the residence halls after celebrating Obama’s victory.

The conversations also included a statement suggesting Obama may not be alive in 2009, Wallace said.

At least one t-shirt has been seen around Appalachian’s campus with the phrase, “Obama ’08, Biden ’09” displayed on it.

“That [t-shirt] is devastating to me,” Wallace said. “…Who advocates assassination in America in 2008? I want a student who wears that t-shirt to explain to me why they would put that on.”

Despite these incidents, it is not always easy for restrictions to be placed on what students can and cannot say without appearing to control free speech. 

“I think the concern here is when this crosses the line into hate speech and comments directed towards students in what I would describe inappropriate ways,” DiBernardi said. “We want to be about vigorous debate and the discussion and investigation of issues…but we ought to do it in a civil and responsible way.” 

The tunnels on Rivers Street were created to offer Appalachian students a place to express their opinions through artistic expression, but this exchange of ideas should “not create a hostile environment,” DiBernardi said.

University Chief of Police Gunther E. Doerr said while University Police have not had specific reports they could attribute to hate speech, it is possible incidents are occurring elsewhere on campus.

“The residence hall staff does have that direct line to refer students to the [Office of Student Conduct] without going through the University Police,” he said. “[Hate speech] certainly could be happening.”

If a student feels threatened by any kind of incident on campus, University Police hopes the individual will come talk to them.

“We would encourage students to come forward and report [any incident] so we could conduct a proper investigation and take action if need be,” Doerr said.

Director of Judicial Affairs Judith M. Haas said the Office of Student Conduct has not had any specific events reported to them directly involving hate crimes or hate speech.

North Carolina State University experienced an incident last week when derogatory comments were written in the school’s free expression tunnel. The phrases, “Kill that n-----,” and “Shoot Obama” were spray-painted inside after the election results were announced.

University officials responded to the incident by painting over the graffiti with white paint, and it was determined no crime was committed as there was no serious threat against Obama.

An e-mail was sent to residents of N.C. State’s Wolf Village Community Apartments Nov. 5 by directors Tim Blair and Chester L. Miller after the tunnel incident.

According to the e-mail, residents were told while a historic election took place Nov. 4, the reports of hate speech on campus demonstrated society is still struggling with issues of race.

“We welcome and affirm the value, dignity and uniqueness that each individual brings to our diverse communities,” the apartment staff wrote, according to the e-mail. “We ask that you join us in honoring the humanity that connects us, while appreciating the differences that distinguish us.”

Appalachian students attempted to combat racism with an event yesterday.

Paul V. Ford, criminal justice and criminology graduate student, hosted “Unite Against Racism” on Sanford Mall as a project for a sociology class.

Attendees brought pictures, CDs, articles and other objects symbolizing racism to the area and “buried” them in a time capsule.

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