Tufts University Investigating 2 Hate Incidents

MEDFORD, MA — Two hate incidents were reported at Tufts University last week, President Tony Monaco announced Sunday.

In the first incident, several Asian students were walking along Professors Row when they were "verbally assaulted with hateful anti-Asian rhetoric from the occupants of a passing vehicle," Monaco said in a letter to the Tufts community.

Members of a Tufts sports team also found a large swastika painted on the Bello Field shed, according to the letter.

"Let me state as clearly as I can: Acts of anti-Asian hate and anti-Semitism such as these are unacceptable and violate what we stand for as a community," Monaco said. "I acknowledge the significant harm that these incidents can have on the Asian and Jewish communities, respectively. All of us have a responsibility to speak out against such bigotry."

The incidents are under investigation by the Tufts University Police Department. It is unclear at this time whether the perpetrators are members of the Tufts community.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TUPD at 617-627-3030 or file an anonymous report under the discrimination heading in Ethicspoint.

"Though we have been striving to become a more just, more equitable, and more diverse university, incidents of bias and hate such as these demonstrate that we still have far to go," Monaco said. "I hope you will join me in redoubling our efforts and recommitting ourselves to eliminating racist and anti-Semitic acts in our community."