Campus Y on UNC-Chapel Hill campus defaced by anti-Semitic, racist vandalism

UNC-Chapel Hill police have identified a suspect they say vandalized a campus building over the weekend with anti-Semitic symbols, university officials said Monday.

Offices in the Campus Y — a division of Student Affairs that centers on civil and human rights — were defaced by someone who unlawfully entered the building over the Jan. 23-24 weekend, officials said.

Anti-Semitic symbols were left on offices, and a racial epithet was written on a whiteboard, the university said. A Campus Y staff member reported the incident to UNC Police Sunday afternoon, according to a police report provided to The News & Observer.

Campus police have issued two warrants for the suspect’s arrest but have not released the suspect’s name. A UNC spokesperson said police were able to identify the suspect by a driver’s license found at the scene.

“Hateful vandalism is not acceptable anywhere on our campus, but this breach of an established organization that promotes equality and justice is particularly egregious,” said Provost Robert A. Blouin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson in a statement.

According to the police report, 35 W-2 forms were also stolen.

The university said UNC Police believe this is an isolated incident and said the Campus Y has not reported any other instances of anti-Semitic or race-related vandalism in recent years.

UNC Police and the Campus Y have declined to provide further information about the incident.

The university has seen similar vandalism before. In April 2019, campus police charged two people with vandalism and racial intimidation after they defaced a monument and art exhibit, The N&O reported. They were sentenced to 200 hours of community service and a $500 fine.

Later that same year, a campus residence hall was defaced with racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic speech, according to a University statement.

This story was originally published January 25, 2021 at 5:59 PM.