UNH: Administrators probe ‘potential student’ activity in U.S. Capitol incidents
WEST HAVEN — University of New Haven administrators are investigating alleged social media posts about, and complaints they received of, “potential student involvement” in activity related to the riot at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, according to letters released by the university.
Dean of Students Dean RoweAllen wrote in a letter to students, which was released by the university, that he sought to “address what took place in Washington, D.C., and how it impacts the Charger Community.”
“The Dean of Students office has received numerous communications over the past few days regarding potential student involvement. Please note that I take all of your concerns very seriously,” Rowe-Allen wrote. “My office is both investigating the matter as well developing new ways for us to unite as a community and to understand one another’s differences in a safe and tolerant manner.
The letters did not name any student nor did it point to specific social media posts. The letter also did not specify what the complaints of “potential student involvement” said or what action any student may or may not have taken.
But UNH President Steven H. Kaplan said in a letter to the university community, “Please know that social media posts related to today’s events that have been reported to myself and other members of the campus community are of serious concern and are being investigated by the Dean of Students Office and law enforcement.”
Kaplan said in his Jan. 6 letter that “the unlawful action of those in Washington, D.C. who committed these acts, are, in a word, shameful. They are not rooted in patriotism, passion for our country, nor civil disobedience. These individuals are trying to intimidate, instill fear, and threaten our democracy. This will not – and should never – be tolerated.”
Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen wrote in a separate letter to the school community that students are responsible for upholding the university’s Code of Conduct standards.
“The Dean of Students office is actively working to determine whether any violations occurred that are outlined in the Student Handbook. At all times, we will follow due process and uphold our legal and ethical obligations,” she wrote.
In a third letter to the community, Lorenzo Boyd, chief diversity officer for UNH, urged unity among the student body. But he also said, “I have been made aware of potential student involvement in the incidents in Washington, DC.”
Boyd noted in his letter that the “Dean of Students office and UNH public safety are investigating the matter and my office will join to help develop ongoing strategies for us to unite as a community and move toward civil discourse, particularly when we disagree.”
“Instead of taking cues from elected officials, social media posts, or celebrities, now is the time to look deep within ourselves and appeal to our better angels to do our individual part to help heal the nation and become more inclusive in our UNH community. I am committed to helping the university community heal, but things cannot go back to business as usual,” Boyd said.
A spokesman for the university declined to comment further because of an ongoing investigation.
Despite letters from administrators, some students expressed dissatisfaction with how the university handles complaints against other students.
UNH senior Kenneth Jeffrey said he was one of the students who provided evidence of a student’s alleged participation in the
D.C. event to administrators, and he feels the university’s response does not indicate there might be any consequences.
“You have marginalized students, not just me as a Black student, but students of all marginalized communities like the LGBTQIA community and the Latino community and we don’t get action, we get words that encourage action from the administration,” Jeffrey said.
Maribeth Falusi, also a senior at UNH, described the social media posts that were reported to the university as “horrifying” and said she saw Kaplan’s message to the school community as “tonedeaf” for its emphasis on civil engagement on differing viewpoints, a message she believes is too vague.
“As a student, I do not feel comfortable engaging in ‘meaningful dialogue’ with these types of people, nor do I think they should be allowed to attend this university, as they do not think my friends who are Black or Brown should have rights,” she said.
Falusi said she believes the university regularly “pacifies” students with concerns or complaints about safety by announcing fruitless investigations.