2 UCI Incidents Involving Racist Notes Investigated

Campus police are investigating two recent incidents in which notes with racial slurs were taped to a residence hall at UC Irvine.

In the first incident, five notes with racist messages were taped to the glass doors of Viento, a cross-cultural residence hall in the Mesa Court dormitory complex.

Police were contacted two days later when another note was taped to the window of the hall’s resident adviser, Tony Jenkins.

Since the incidents, UCI housing officials have asked residents to wear yellow lapel ribbons supporting the black students and have invited them to attend a discussion forum on race relations next Thursday.

Ironically, UCI is in the middle of African Consciousness Quarter, a 2 1/2-month recognition of black achievement that began in January at universities and high schools nationwide.

Dennis Powers, assistant chief of the campus police, said Wednesday that they have no suspects.

The cases are the second and third racially motivated incidents of the school year. In the fall, an interracial couple living in a freshmen residence hall received threatening letters. In previous years, racial incidents at UCI tended to be onetime matters that ended quickly, said Robert Ameele, associate director of undergraduate housing.

“This has been unusual because of the period of time involved and the fact that they continue,” he said.

If a student is found to be responsible, Ameele said, he or she may face a criminal charge and disciplinary actions ranging from probation to expulsion.