Syracuse University's Department of Public Safety is investigating after racist graffiti was found in a dorm on campus.

They say students reported the incident last Thursday on two different floors of Day Hall. Freshman Corso Rosselli saw the vandalism first hand.

"At first I didn't realize it was racial or anything like that because I didn't see the mirror." said Rosselli. "Then I looked and it was just like the n-word all over."

Campus officials have had meetings with students who live on the floor.

But some students are not happy with the university's response. Members of the Residence Hall Association feel there has not been enough open communication or action from the university. They're looking for more transparency when incidents like this happen.

"It's been a lot slower than we would like but at least their kind of doing something about it," said Rosselli.

Chancellor Kent Syvarud sent a letter to students condemning the graffiti on Tuesday morning, admitting university leaders should have communicated more quickly.

"It’s clear that the members of the leadership team should have communicated more swiftly and broadly. I am disappointed that didn’t happen in this case," Syvarud said in the letter. "While, I appreciate the personalized and immediate care our leaders provided to Day Hall residents directly impacted by this incident, repercussions are far-reaching and are a concern to us all."

He says the DPS is following several leads and he pledges that they'll be as open as possible with their investigation.     

Governor Andrew Cuomo was in Syracuse Tuesday afternoon and is directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to investigate.

 

 

 

"I want to be able to say to my children, and to your children, that at this ugly time in this country's history, New York led a different path, and New York said unity and solidarity and togetherness, because that's us at our best," Cuomo said. 

SU's Residence Hall Association is hosting an open forum on the issue Tuesday evening. Some members of the chancellor's staff will be present. It's scheduled from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. in room 132 of Lyman Hall.