Chancellors for the University of California (UC) system and for the University of Tennessee (UT) are working on efforts to combat bias and intolerance on their campuses.
Three schools from the UC system (UC San Diego, UC Davis and UC Merced) have reported incidents motivated by hate in the past few months, according to the San Francisco Gate. Incidents at the schools include a hanging noose, swastikas located throughout the campuses and anti-gay slurs.
During its March 24 meeting, the UC Board of Regents apologized for the atmosphere of hatred and racial tension growing on the campuses and attempted to find ways to increase the number of underrepresented minorities on campuses.
Additionally, civil rights expert Christopher Edley, dean of the Boalt Hall law school at UC Berkeley, is advising with UC President Mark Yudof, UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi on racial issues. The school system is also working with students to identify gaps in hate-crime laws.
UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek has recently called for change after similar incidents occurred on his campus, reports Knoxnews.com.
Recent incidents include a person throwing a banana at visiting black students, their parents and guidance counselors and derogatory and racist language being written on posters, signs and doors throughout the campus.
In response, Cheek is planning a campus project on civility and respect.
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