Northwestern officials are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of people involved in recent hate crimes on campus.
The announcement comes after two racial slurs targeting a Latino student were found at Chapin Hall early Tuesday morning. As of Thursday night, University Police had not arrested anyone in connection with the case.
Five instances of racial and religious vandalism were reported Winter and Spring quarters. A swastika also was found in Willard Residential College last Thursday.
University officials offered a $1,000 reward this spring for information related to the racial slurs. “Hopefully we’ll have a better response (this year),” said Alan Cubbage, vice president for university relations.
Associated Student Government President Mike Fong said he is relying on ASG senators to inform students about the reward through listservs and personal contacts.
“I certainly think it’s worth $2,500 to get these people,” said Fong, a Weinberg senior.
Richard Goldberg, co-chairman of the hate crimes task force, which was formed in response to the year’s incidents, said he supports the administration’s increased efforts to help uncover more information related to these crimes.
“We strongly condemn the acts and we want to support and work with the administration to find the perpetrators,” said Goldberg, a Medill junior. “But we need to stay focused on progress made over the past months and continue to spread the message that we simply won’t tolerate these horrific acts.”
Goldberg said policies governing UP’s response to hate crimes and dorm security plans have changed over the past year.
But Karla Diaz, Weinberg junior and president of the Latino cultural group Alianza, said it’s difficult to put a price on hate crimes.
“I think the university is taking steps to show us they care and they’re listening,” Diaz said. “It’s a really hard issue to deal with in terms of money, but more needs to be done.”
Diaz said she hopes officials will implement a network of support systems for students affected by the crimes and find ways to deter students from writing more slurs.
“It’s just really frustrating to see,” Diaz said. “How do you actually stop this?”
— Dalia Naamani-Goldman
