UC San Diego police investigate noose on campus
UC San Diego police are investigating an incident in which a noose was found suspended in a campus stairwell.
The thin piece of rope, crudely fashioned into a loop, was found July 21 in a stairwell in Mandeville Hall, an auditorium where recitals and other performing arts events are held.
So far, police have no leads as to who might have created the noose. They are seeking help identifying witnesses.
It is the latest incident with racial overtones on the campus in recent months. Another dangling noose was found in a campus library in February, drawing condemnation and sparking a rally attended by hundreds of students. A student later admitted to and apologized for hanging the rope and was suspended.
Racial tensions also were heightened earlier this year by an off-campus student party, termed a “Compton Cookout,” that mocked Black History Month. That incident also set off protests and drew national attention to the campus, where African American students make up less than 2% of undergraduates.
For many African Americans, the noose has long been a symbol of oppression and lynchings. Hanging a noose with intent to terrorize is a misdemeanor under state law and can bring up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The most recent incident has drawn little attention but is being taken seriously by administrators, campus spokeswoman Judy Piercey said. About 6,600 students are attending summer classes in UC San Diego’s extension program.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
