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Dear Parents:
I am writing to share with you that on December 9, a Boston College student
was arrested by BC Police for scrawling disturbing racist graffiti in
public areas of Welch Residence Hall, assaulting police officers, and
discharging a fire extinguisher in Walsh Hall.
As a result of his actions, the student was issued a summary suspension
from Boston College and faces expulsion from the University. He will also
face multiple charges in two separate municipal courts, including a civil
rights violation (Hate Crime), assault and battery on a police officer (two
counts), resisting arrest, and willful malicious destruction of
property.
BC Police are working directly with the district attorney’s office in
both Suffolk and Middlesex counties, and with the Boston Police Civil
Rights Unit, in pursuing these criminal charges.
A summary suspension prevents a student from having access to the
campus. In this case, the student’s belongings have already
been removed from his residence hall room. Because the student remains
hospitalized, we have not been able to proceed with our student conduct
expulsion hearing. Nonetheless, he will not return to the BC
campus.
We have explained to students that counseling is available to them through
University Counseling Services, and that those most affected may request
academic accommodations through their professors or the academic deans in
their respective schools. In addition, a variety of campus resources
are available to students in the
Divisions of Student Affairs
and
Mission and Ministry
.
On Wednesday, we held a Community Gathering in Robsham Theater to offer
students, particularly African-American students who were victimized by
this hate crime, the opportunity to express their outrage and hurt over
this incident. It was an emotional event that we hope will help us as
a community to heal and move forward.
At the meeting, we pledged to continue to meet regularly with students in
the coming year to address their concerns and to work together to make
Boston College a truly welcoming and inclusive campus for all members of
our community.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at
617-552-3280.
On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, I wish you and your families
a peaceful and blessed holiday season.
Sincerely,
Joy Moore ’81, Hon.’10
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
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