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University President Thomas Katsouleas posted on social media this week that the school has launched an investigation.
“I want to acknowledge that the University has received numerous complaints regarding social media posts from some incoming students, and calls for revoking their admission,” Katsouleas said. “A number of the posts we are aware of appear racist in nature, which is abhorrent to us, and the University has proceeded with our process of investigating them.”
Katsouleas said that school officials plan to speak with the students directly, and they will not be permitted to enroll at UConn until the investigation is complete.
Katsouleas said that the school is also evaluating similar complaints regarding posts from current students.
“To be clear, the University has the ability to rescind admission and will do so if necessary to uphold our expectations of each other and the values of our community,” he said. “The University of Connecticut is committed to addressing racial injustice and doing everything in its power to ensure racial justice and equity.”
According to Katsouleas, there was also a “reverse town hall” meeting with students that was “Zoom bombed” by some “spewing vile racist invective, including anti-black and anti-Semitic statements."
“This is a truly awful phenomenon that has disrupted countless virtual meetings nationwide during this pandemic period, including classes, public meetings, and church services,” Katsouleas said. “It is appalling and no one in our campuses - or anywhere - should be subjected to that.”
Katsouleas said that the UConn police force is currently investigating the alleged racist incidents.
“It is another reminder of the work we have to do in this state and in this nation to extinguish hatred and racism,” Katsouleas added. “It is not yet clear if those responsible for this disgusting behavior have a UConn connection.
“Either way, the University is eager to work with students to ensure that the resumption of the reverse Town Hall can take place in a protected viral environment,” he continued. “It will also again widely share instructions to the campus community on what users can do to help prevent ‘Zoom bombing’ and offer other platforms.”
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