ELON, N.C. -- A picture shows the message that sent shockwaves through Elon University’s campus on Thursday.
The note written on the corner of a classroom whiteboard reads "Bye bye Latinos hasta la vista."
It’s appearing just days after the country elected Donald Trump as president of the United States.
The university’s president, Leo Lambert, released a statement within hours of its discovery condoning the message:
Early this morning, an Elon faculty member found a message written on a corner of a classroom whiteboard that read “Bye bye Latinos hasta la vista.” The faculty member photographed the message, erased it and talked with the students about the message. He also filed a notice of the incident via the university’s bias response system. Since then, the photograph has been shared on social media and is receiving strong reaction.
I want to say emphatically that this incident is reprehensible and directly in conflict with elon’s values of inclusion and treating each other with dignity and respect. Because this is a potential violation of Elon’s Code of Conduct, we will investigate the matter using our campus security camera system, attempt to determine who wrote the message and hold them accountable. Elon will not tolerate harassing, denigrating or intimidating actions that create a hostile environment.
It should be obvious to all that our nation is deeply divided at this time and we face great differences in our society. Now, more than ever, we need to show kindness and respect toward one another, especially to those members of our community who are feeling vulnerable.
I want to send a special message of support to our Hispanic/Latino students: Please know that this message does not represent our community. We stand with you and will do everything in our power to ensure your well-being, safety and security. We are committed to give every student the opportunity to feel welcome and valued, and to flourish and reach their full potential.
Students said it does not reflect the school's values.
"This is a good community as far as students trying to encourage diversity," said student Jennifer Berman.
"Nobody has any problem with anybody else. I don't know why that kid or whoever it was wrote it," said student Ryan Petnuch.
The interim director at the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education at Elon University, Sylvia Munoz, said a number of students came to her regarding the bias message.
She estimates roughly 300 students at the school identify themselves as Latinos.