Student scratched racial slur into another’s body, Gettysburg College administrators say

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Administrators at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania say that a student who was accused of scratching a racial slur into another student’s body is no longer enrolled there.

News of the incident came to light last week, after the college confirmed that a slur had been scratched into the student’s body at an “informal social gathering at an on-campus residence,” college President Bob Iuliano said.

Two students had been removed from the school’s swim team as a result, reported The Gettysburgian, the official student publication.

The victim’s family also shared a statement to the publication, saying their son — who was “the only person of color” at the swim-team gathering — was scratched by a person he had previously “considered a friend.”

The victim was also one of the two students who was dismissed from the swim team, the family said.

“In less than 48 hours after the incident, our son was interviewed by the members of the coaching staff and summarily dismissed (not suspended) from the swim team. The punitive action was taken prior to the commencement of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities own investigation. This does not appear to have followed the policies and procedures stated in the Gettysburg College Student-Athlete Manual,” reads a portion of the family’s statement, via The Gettysburgian.

On Monday, the college and the victim’s family released a joint statement in which they discussed their intention to conduct a full investigation.

“The College and the family both recognize the gravity and seriousness of this situation and hope it can serve as a transformative moment for our community and beyond,” the statement read, in part.

A representative for Gettysburg College was unable to confirm whether the student accused of scratching a slur into the victim was expelled or withdrew, citing student privacy laws.

A criminal complaint had not been filed as of Friday, when Gettysburg Borough Chief of Police Robert Glenny Jr. told Nexstar’s WHTM that the victim “has chosen to let the college disciplinary process handle this matter.

Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College has approximately 2,400 students from more than 40 states and 51 countries. The college’s swim season does not begin until October 19.