What happened

The Union Programming Council (UPC) advertises various events taking place on campus through its publication, “The Toilet Paper” which is posted in restrooms throughout the Union building (“the “Poster”). The Poster featured various events, including a Drag Bingo event to benefit the Union scholarships. On Monday, February 5, 2024, a Union staff member reported finding the Poster vandalized. The Drag Bingo event had been crossed out with an ‘x’. No other events featured on the poster were crossed out.

What is being done

The staff member reported the incident to the Union building administration and the Racist and Bias Incident Response Team (RBIRT). Union building staff replaced the vandalized poster immediately. RBIRT encouraged the reporter to also report the incident to the University of Utah Police Department.

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

If you see someone engaging in vandalism, damaging, or taking down posters note the location and notify a campus official. Stopping this type of behavior takes collective action.  To learn more about how to incorporate bystander intervention into your approach, visit https://wellness.utah.edu/workshops-training/#bystander.

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