UC Davis police are investigating an overnight spate of vandalism on campus as a hate crime after an unknown suspect wrote a racial slur on a chalk board in Dutton Hall in the midst of breaking dozens of windows in several buildings and cars early Sunday morning.
The suspect, or suspects, also gained entrance into several buildings, where further damage was caused, according to a campus police press release. More than 31 windows were broken in seven buildings and vehicles.
The other buildings that were hit include Sproul Hall, TB 009, South Hall, Educational Opportunity, Aggie Village & School of Education and University House. The arboretum also sustained damage.
Chancellor Linda Katehi sent out an email Tuesday to the entire UC Davis community to voice her concern about the events and to ask for anyone with knowledge of the incident to report it to campus police.
“I am incensed and at the same time, heartbroken, that this occurred this week in particular — a week where we acknowledge one of the greatest moments in American Civil Rights History,” Katehi said in the email.
“UC Davis is guided by Our Principles of Community where ‘we reject all manifestations of discrimination and affirm the inherent dignity in all of us.’ It has been said before, and I again repeat, no act of hate will be tolerated at UC Davis.”
Contact the UC Davis Police Department at 530-752-2677 or through e-mail at http://police.ucdavis.edu/contact-info.
— Reach Tom Sakash at tsakash@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8057. Follow him on Twitter at @TomSakash