Incident Overview An unidentified Gettysburg College student was accused of carving a racial slur on a teammate's chest using a box cutter during a swim team gathering on September 6.

The College's Response Gettysburg College confirmed that the student responsible for the incident is no longer enrolled at the institution, as per a joint statement with the victim's family.

Victim’s Family Statement The family described the incident as a hate crime, noting that the victim was the only person of color at the gathering and that the accused was a trusted friend.

College Investigation The college launched an investigation into the incident, suspending both the accused and the victim from the swim team while the investigation is underway.

President’s Reaction College President Bob Iuliano condemned the racist act, stating, “There is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize.”

National Attention The incident gained national attention, leading the college to remove the swim team roster from public view to protect the student-athletes from public scrutiny.

Swim Team Captains Praised President Iuliano praised the swim team captains for reporting the incident to their coaches, stating that it is not a reflection of unhealthy team culture.

Legal Actions The family is aware they have the option to pursue criminal prosecution, though it remains unclear if they will take that route. Civil rights organizations have also been contacted.

Diversity Inquiry The college’s chief diversity officer has been tasked with leading an inquiry into the incident, with the goal of implementing "concrete actions" to prevent future occurrences.

Historical Reflection Iuliano emphasized that the college, founded before the Civil War, must learn from this incident, acknowledging its history while working toward a more inclusive future.

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