What happened

On April 7, 2024, a student was walking into the Kahlert Village Stem Tower when they saw a whiteboard outside a dorm room with the message, “B*****s commit misdemeanors.”

The word “b*****” is a derogatory slur used to refer to individuals of Hispanic or Latino descent particularly those that are from Mexico or of Mexican American descent. The statement also perpetuates negative stereotypes against those who form part of the Latinx or Latine/Mexican-American community.

What is being done

The incident was reported to Housing and Residential Education. The messaging was voluntarily removed by the residents.

If you have any information related to the incident, you can report by using the University’s public incident report.

The University of Utah’s commitment

The University of Utah is a center of learning, with a vision that through education, we can impact our world for the better. Our foundational principles recognize our shared humanity and the dignity of all people. The university is committed to continue efforts that uplift and celebrate our campus community and enhance a sense of belonging.

What to do

Be vigilant and speak up. Stopping this kind of behavior takes collective action, and bystander intervention efforts are one way of combatting conduct that can be wrongfully seen as a prank or joke but can cause real harm.

Support and resources

Counseling and support services are available from various entities on campus. Visit Campus Resources | #SAFEU (utah.edu) for more information.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ana Ascencio, RBIRT Manager, at RBIresponse@utah.edu