Racially insentive incidents at PC prompt investigation

MULTIPLE RACIALLY INSENSITIVE incidents have taken place on Providence College's campus this week, prompting an internal investigation. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE COLLEGE
MULTIPLE RACIALLY INSENSITIVE incidents have taken place on Providence College's campus this week, prompting an internal investigation. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

PROVIDENCE – Providence College is investigating multiple racially offensive incidents that occurred this week, according to college spokesmen, while college President Rev. Brian J. Shanley has reached out to student groups to better understand and combat the causes of the incidents.

In a statement from Kristine Goodwin, vice president for student affairs, and Kenneth Sicard, executive vice president and treasurer, to the campus community on Thursday, the university acknowledged the two incidents and said the college was investigating them.

“Early this morning we were made aware that an inappropriate, offensive photo and caption including a racist slur were posted on Snapchat by a Providence College student,” the letter read.

“We learned from Public Safety that they are in the process of investigating and have already met with several of the people involved. The Dean of Students’ Office and Residence Life responded quickly and will continue to offer support to all students.”

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“The College has a Student Code of Conduct which addresses inappropriate behavior, and students are held accountable. However, each incident has to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, because there are often other details which emerge later in the process that are not always readily apparent at first glance,” according to Steve Maurano, associate vice president for public affairs and community relations. “In this case, the student in the photo knew that his picture was being taken, but was unaware that it was later posted on social media with the unfortunate caption. He did not write the caption nor did he post the photo.”

Thursday’s letter from Goodwin and Sicard also addressed another unidentified incident, “There was another report of a bias incident earlier in the week that is being investigated. [Goodwin] and Student Affairs will oversee these investigations and work with student leaders regarding next steps.”

In a letter to the PC community on Thursday, Shanley said, “As a priest, and as your president, I am especially distressed by the hurt and anguish that this has brought to our community.”

Shanley also addressed and acknowledged tensions and bias at the school, “As you know, the college has made numerous attempts to address bias and to promote diversity and inclusion; nonetheless, the problems and tensions persist, and there is an all-too-common lack of respect and acceptance between people of different backgrounds and ideologies. This suggests that we must further intensify our efforts.”

In the most recent edition of the Princeton Review’s college rankings, PC topped the list for “Little Race/Class Interaction.” The ranking noted that of the Roman Catholic university’s 4,270 students, 77.3 percent were Caucasian, 9 percent Hispanic, 3.9 percent African-American and 1 percent Asian.

The college at the time said that it was making a “conscious and deliberate effort” to increase the percentage of the student body that identifies as multicultural.

“While we have enjoyed some successes, we also are aware that more work remains to be done,” read the statement at the time.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.

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