Is being at Ole Miss corrupting the minds of some black students? 
Black students allegedly behind racist graffiti
By Andy Kanengiser
akanengiser@clarionledger.com
Three African-American students at the University of Mississippi have been accused of writing racist graffiti on doors outside rooms of two other black students in the Kincannon residence hall on the Oxford campus.
The students, all freshmen, wrote vulgar and ob-scene messages at three other locations in the dorm.
They will face a University Judicial Council hearing when classes resume in January, Ole Miss officials said Wednesday.
If they are found guilty, their punishments could be reprimands, community service, suspension or expulsion. They can appeal.
A fourth African-American student also is being investigated in connection with the incident, Ole Miss Communications Director Jeff Alford said.
Ole Miss officials refused to release names of the students, citing privacy laws.
Each freshman was charged with five violations of the student code of conduct in connection with the Nov. 6 incident, Ole Miss officials said.
The students told school officials they were playing a prank on acquaintances.
"It was thoughtless on their part,'' Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat said. "We don't condone abusive behavior of any kind. They should apologize.''
The fact that the students are African Americans "doesn't excuse their behavior,'' Khayat said.
The incident received statewide and national publicity and came at a time when the university was commemorating the admittance of its first black student, James Meredith, in 1962.
Ole Miss received "a lot of unjust criticism,'' said student body President Drew Snyder, 21, of Madison.
Snyder said he hopes the Judicial Council will "punish the students to the fullest extent, regardless of race."
"It is harassment, plain and simple.''
The students were charged with flagrant disrespect of a member of the university community, harassment/disorderly conduct, vandalism, disregard for university authority and abuse of the university judicial system.
The last two charges were related to the students allegedly making false and misleading statements to investigators.
Ole Miss will not pursue criminal charges, Khayat said. The students caused $600 damage to the dorm, including cleaning costs and repair of doors.
Black students allegedly behind racist graffiti
By Andy Kanengiser
akanengiser@clarionledger.com
Three African-American students at the University of Mississippi have been accused of writing racist graffiti on doors outside rooms of two other black students in the Kincannon residence hall on the Oxford campus.
The students, all freshmen, wrote vulgar and ob-scene messages at three other locations in the dorm.
They will face a University Judicial Council hearing when classes resume in January, Ole Miss officials said Wednesday.
If they are found guilty, their punishments could be reprimands, community service, suspension or expulsion. They can appeal.
A fourth African-American student also is being investigated in connection with the incident, Ole Miss Communications Director Jeff Alford said.
Ole Miss officials refused to release names of the students, citing privacy laws.
Each freshman was charged with five violations of the student code of conduct in connection with the Nov. 6 incident, Ole Miss officials said.
The students told school officials they were playing a prank on acquaintances.
"It was thoughtless on their part,'' Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat said. "We don't condone abusive behavior of any kind. They should apologize.''
The fact that the students are African Americans "doesn't excuse their behavior,'' Khayat said.
The incident received statewide and national publicity and came at a time when the university was commemorating the admittance of its first black student, James Meredith, in 1962.
Ole Miss received "a lot of unjust criticism,'' said student body President Drew Snyder, 21, of Madison.
Snyder said he hopes the Judicial Council will "punish the students to the fullest extent, regardless of race."
"It is harassment, plain and simple.''
The students were charged with flagrant disrespect of a member of the university community, harassment/disorderly conduct, vandalism, disregard for university authority and abuse of the university judicial system.
The last two charges were related to the students allegedly making false and misleading statements to investigators.
Ole Miss will not pursue criminal charges, Khayat said. The students caused $600 damage to the dorm, including cleaning costs and repair of doors.
