Racist Graffiti Investigated At Diablo Valley College

PLEASANT HILL, CA — Diablo Valley College President Susan Lamb said the formation of a task force is underway to address multiple "hateful" messages of racist graffiti found written at the school, the latest one directed toward black people and Middle Eastern immigrants.

Campus Spokeswoman Chrisanne Knox confirmed the incident and said it was addressed by Lamb in an email Tuesday to all faculty, staff and students.

In the email shared with Patch, Lamb called the racist graffiti found Monday night "hateful" and said it inferred that Middle Eastern immigrants and members of the black community should leave the United States.

The graffiti was located at 9 p.m. Monday by campus police in a men's restroom of the Business Language Arts Building at the Pleasant Hill campus and was brought to the attention of administration Tuesday morning, DVC Campus police Lt. Ryan Huddleston told Diablo Valley College Inquirer, the student-run newspaper.

Custodial services removed the message before classes began Tuesday, Lamb said in her email. Campus police opened a new investigation of the incidents and were closely watching the area where the graffiti was found, she said.

"We will update the campus on the status of investigations as information becomes available," Lamb said.

Lamb described being "deeply saddened" having to write about another incident, as DVC strives to "create a safe and welcoming learning environment."

The first incident of racist graffiti was reportedly discovered March 6 and was also found in a bathroom.

"DVC does not tolerate racist attitudes of any kind and takes these incidences very seriously," Lamb wrote.

"As a result of the recent hateful graffiti, the College Council approved the formation of a task force to address these incidents and to engage the campus in a broader discussion," Lamb wrote. "This task force will be involved in the immediate response to this recent act while continuing to work on addressing our last incident. I have a strong sense of urgency and I am committed to continuing to meet with students and staff about how we address these issues and make changes that are inclusive of all students and employees."

Counselors are available to support any student who may have been impacted, the president said. Appointments can be scheduled by sending an email to wellness@dvc.edu or by calling 925-969-2140 for the Pleasant Hill campus or 925-551-6209 for the San Ramon campus.

Anyone who hears further information about Monday night's incident or any other hate incident at DVC is asked to notify Interim Vice President of Student Services Bruce Clemetsen at bclemetsen@dvc.edu.