Hocking College Prexy Moves Into Dorm To Counter Racial Threat

An anonymous racial threat scribbled in graffiti on a restroom wall at Hocking College, a technical school in Nelsonville, Ohio in the southeastern part of the state, has led to the institution's president and his wife moving into the dorm where the incident occurred.

As the Associated Press reports:

NELSONVILLE, Ohio (AP) - The president of an Ohio technical college is spending a few days living in a dorm where graffiti warned black students would be killed Tuesday.

Spokeswoman Judy Sinnott says Hocking College President Ron Erickson and his wife are staying in Hocking Heights during the scare. They hope their presence reassures students.

The message was found scrawled on a bathroom wall more than a week ago. It is being investigated by campus police and the FBI.

The threat led at least two black students to withdraw from school and others to move out of the dorm. Erickson pledged better security, police and counselors.

Sinnott says Hocking College is kicking off a "We Are One Hocking" diversity campaign at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a walk, a candlelight service and a peace monument dedication.

First, it's probably a good idea for college presidents to spend some quality time in the dorms as a routine part of their duties, even when they're not responding to an extreme situation like the threat.

 

But the actions of Erickson and his wife are of the sort likely to give students and parents confidence that the school administration is doing what it can to adequately respond to the situation.

Second, it's sad that some black students withdrew because of the threat. They have given the graffiti writer a victory probably beyond the hopes of the person who wrote the offensive message.

But you can't blame people for doing what they need they must, within reason, to feel secure.

Hocking, by the way, hosted a campaign appearance by President Barack Obama in March 2008.