ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The University of Rochester president says he will not ban Yik Yak, a controversial social media app which allows people to anonymously post comments about others.
University students protested in Nov. 2015 and circulated a petition that would ban Yik Yak after students stated the app was being used to make racist comments.
President Joel Seligman formed the campus commission on Race and Diversity, which conducted town hall meetings to assess the campus climate. The commission voted 14-2 to ban Yik Yak.
Seligman said a total ban would reduce the college's ability to apprehend the offenders. Seligman also said a ban would conflict with the U of R's core value of preserving free expression rights of students and faculty.
The college will work with Yik Yak to express filters to limit or eliminate racial attacks. The U of R is also working with the Monroe County District Attorney's office in case Yik Yak threats might violate criminal laws.