‘Abhorrent racist language’ used in online attack during Penn State faculty senate meeting
.jpeg "Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania")
Penn State leaders are condemning an “act of hatred and harassment” after several people intruded on an online faculty senate meeting earlier this week and a racial slur was used.
Late into Tuesday’s faculty senate meeting — which was held remotely — a “Zoom bombing” happened. The university described a Zoom bombing as “a type of online harassment where a stranger hijacks a video conference that is available via public link to wreak havoc, such as use of offensive or threatening language.”
“University leaders denounce this act of hatred and harassment, and affirm Penn State’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment free of bias and discrimination,” the university wrote in a news release.
The incident has been reported to University Police and Public Safety. They’ll review evidence that the meeting hosts and others may have, as well as consult with Penn State’s Office of Information Security (OIS) for assistance to gather additional evidence that could help identify suspects, according to the university’s release.
Jacqueline Sheader, public information officer for Penn State Police and Public Safety, said Friday the incident remains under investigation.
“University Police along with OIS do their best to comb through any potential evidence and track down any known leads that may point to a possible perpetrator,” she said in an email.
Photo and video documentation can help the investigation, she said, but this has become a “rather sophisticated” activity and perpetrators often use fake screen names and email addresses along with other steps to shield their identity.
The suspect could be anywhere in the world, Sheader said, noting that there’s no evidence to suggest those involved were associated with Penn State.
“Police also need to obtain court orders and search warrants that are issued to the virtual meeting service provider (Zoom) and internet and email providers in order for them to provide us with any evidence that is connected to suspects,” she wrote.
In an email, Michele Stine, chair of the faculty senate, said it appeared to be teenagers taking part in the Zoom bombing, using “abhorrent racist language.” She called it “sickening” but praised the senate office staff’s response to the situation.
“I cannot say enough good things about the way the senate office staff handled the situation. They acted very quickly to lock down the meeting and remove the offending accounts from the meeting,” Stine said. “As distressing as it was, their quick and calm actions helped keep it from being worse.”
Sheader pointed to services such as UPPS’ Victim Services for those who have been victimized. The university also offers support through Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Affairs and the Office of Educational Equity.
This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 5:38 PM.
