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Probable hoax spurs Gettysburg College to do more DEI

OPINION: Gettysburg College officials are citing a racist incident, which is likely a hoax, as justification for new DEI initiatives

A likely hate crime hoax is spurring new DEI programming at Gettysburg College.

The small college in Pennsylvania has hosted several events, and plans even more, to combat alleged racial bias on campus. But the proof of bias stems from a questionable incident where a swimmer had the n-word carved on his chest by a teammate. Reporting by The College Fix, however, suggests there is more to the story (and even the college and family of the alleged victim have implicitly admitted it).

In mid-November, Gettysburg hosted a discussion on “race, identity, accountability, and repair.”

“The session opened with remarks from President Bob Iuliano, thanking community members for their work in response to the racist incident in which a racial slur was cut onto a student in September,” The Gettysburgian reported on Nov. 25.

“It is, of course, at least in part, a result of the deeply upsetting racial event that occurred during the fall and that generated such substantial national attention,” the president said at the meeting, according to the student newspaper. “But it’s not just about that event. It’s at least equally about the transcendent responsibility each and every one of us has to create a more inclusive campus.”

The “deeply upsetting racial event” possibly was consensual and involved alcohol, according to social media allegations. A day prior to the dialogue event, The Fix story came out which questioned the narrative. Notably, the family stopped talking to the local NAACP chapter it had specifically asked for help investigating, after declining to go to local law enforcement. The university’s communications director acknowledged receipt of The Fix article.

But even if the college leaders never saw that story, it knows the case is not a clear-cut case of racism.

“No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on one’s identity and history,” President Iuliano previously said.

“This is also, I was just saying to someone perhaps the most, one of the more complicated and nuanced cases I’ve seen in my time in higher education,” he also reportedly told the faculty senate.

A university wide email shared with The Fix used similar language.

“We appreciate the family’s statement, including its acknowledgement of the importance of such a full investigation, particularly given the nuances and complexities of this case, as their statement also highlighted,” a university email sent on Sep. 22 stated.

This won’t stop the university from revamping its “bias response” and highlighting “equity relevant research.”

Special favors for “equity” focused faculty are also planned for the future. The political science department is also creating an “anti racist student council.”

IMAGE: Gettysburg College

Another email reviewed by The Fix states:

Other measures that will be taken by the Provost’s Office include giving weight in the next round of tenure-track faculty hiring to the potential for new faculty to contribute courses toward the race, power, and equity component of the new Gettysburg curriculum. In addition, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, the Provost’s Office will partner with Chief Diversity Officer to hold orientation sessions within faculty committees on the importance of bias awareness during their decision-making work. The Provost’s Office is also working closely with Human Resources and the Chief Diversity Officer to evaluate and update the Inclusion Partner Program used in our hiring practices.

Some of this, including the “equity component” may be unrelated to this incident.

The student newspaper, which can easily find the alleged victim and ask him for comment, won’t be doing its duty anytime soon, it seems. Vincent DiFonzo thanked The Fix on Nov. 20 for providing a copy of the story. He did not respond to follow up requests for comment on Dec. 2 and 4 about any plans to investigate the situation further.

However, student newspapers sometimes take months to cover racial hoaxes on campus.

After all, the University of Washington sat on a story for 108 days about a Muslim student who made misleading statements about being threatened by her Jewish roommate, despite having the police reports via The Fix.

At this rate, the student newspaper will cover the story – just wait 90 days or so.

MORE: Black male students more likely to say no to female president

IMAGE: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

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About the Author
Associate Editor
Matt has previously worked at Students for Life of America, Students for Life Action and Turning Point USA. While in college, he wrote for The College Fix as well as his college newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix. He previously interned for government watchdog group Open the Books. He holds a B.A. from Loyola University-Chicago and an M.A. from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He lives in northwest Indiana with his family.