A University instructor said her office door was defaced with anti-gay slogans last week, and this week she said personal items were removed from her door.
Renita Romasco, an instructor in the exercise and sports science department dance program, said "dyke" and "lesbian" were written on her door last Thursday. She said she found posters and other miscellaneous items missing on Monday.
Romasco said one of the items on her door was a brochure for the Center for the Performing Arts that included the dates gay men and women would perform. "Lesbian" was written on the brochure and "dyke" was written across the door, she said.
Romasco said she supports gay rights and was furious about the incidents.
"I think prejudice against a certain group is wrong," she said. "If someone has an opinion, there are other ways to address it than defacing."
Romasco said she reported the incidents to Karl Newell, exercise and sports science department head, as soon as they happened, and to University Police Services yesterday. Romasco added that she will document the incidents and send them to James Stewart, vice provost for educational equity.
"I have no idea who might have done it, but I'm almost positive it's not any of my students," Romasco said, adding that her students know they can approach her if they disagree with her views.
Sam Ricciotti, University police officer, said police are investigating the incidents and plan to check the area frequently. No suspects have been found yet, he added.
Stewart said he has discussed the incidents with Gerald McClearn, dean of the College of Health and Human Development, and plans to talk to Romasco and Newell as well to find out why the incidents occurred. After this, Stewart will decide what action to take.
McClearn said the incidents are being investigated but refused to comment further.
The University can prevent similar incidents from occurring by making sure it demands respect for all groups, punishing those who do not act according to this value and educating the University community, Stewart said.
Newell refused to comment because he said Stewart's response represents the University.
Tony D'Augelli, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance adviser, said the incidents suggest there is still homophobia at the University. This makes an uncomfortable atmosphere for lesbian, gay and bisexual students, faculty and staff and their supporters, he added.
"It doesn't surprise me in the slightest," D'Augelli said. Similar incidents have taken place before but have gone unreported because people think they will be considered lesbian, gay or bisexual and that administrators are not concerned about the issue, he added.
Stewart said this is D'Augelli's evaluation of the administrators, and he understands people's reluctance to expose themselves. But he said he doesn't know why incidents would go unreported.
D'Augelli said educational programs are the best way to prevent these incidents, citing the importance of Project TEACH! and the need for a facility to deal with problems like these.
Project TEACH! is a program LGBSA started last month. Members asked University administrators to provide educational programs on homophobia and heterosexism and an office and staff member to address the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual students, faculty and staff.
Stewart said he agrees there needs to be a facility and that his office is discussing options on how to provide education on gay issues to help promote, not reinforce, tolerance.
Options include making an informational video on gay issues to be shown in classes. This reduces LGBSA's responsibility, Stewart said, adding that LGBSA members claim they previously provided most of the education. The video would also reduce the abuse LGBSA members sometimes undergo when giving Straight Talks, educational discussions conducted in class.
