Vandals Hit UC Davis Campus Sunday Morning, Investigation Ongoing

The Davis Police Department is looking for the individuals responsible for crimes ranging from vandalism to breaking and entering at UC Davis over the weekend. 

UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi outlined the crimes in a letter to the campus community and said that someone broke into seven campus buildings, broke 31 car windows and wrote racial slurs on a blackboard. 

"I am incensed and at the same time, heartbroken, that this occurred this week in particular - a week where we acknowledge one of the greatest moments in American Civil Rights History," she wrote in her letter, "a week where President Obama will stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and acknowledge the place and the moment where America marched for freedom. 

Here is the full letter:

Dear Campus Community,

Early Sunday morning, our campus was struck with a series of crimes that range from vandalism to breaking and entering. To date, we are aware of seven campus facilities and several parked cars that were damaged, including 31 broken windows. In the course of these acts, a hateful racial slur was written on a blackboard. The UC Davis Police are fully investigating all incidents and ask for your assistance in either reporting information you may have about these horrible incidents or to report any damage that might have been sustained that may not yet have been discovered.

I am incensed and at the same time, heartbroken, that this occurred this week in particular - a week where we acknowledge one of the greatest moments in American Civil Rights History; a week where President Obama will stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and acknowledge the place and the moment where America marched for freedom.  UC Davis is guided by Our Principles of Community where "we reject all manifestations of discrimination and affirm the inherent dignity in all of us." It has been said before, and I again repeat, no act of hate will be tolerated at UC Davis.

Your safety is our greatest concern and the Offices of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Hexter and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs de la Torre will provide additional information as it becomes available and they will also be ready to respond to your concerns or questions.

This is considered an open and on-going investigation so please share any information you may have about these crimes by contacting the UC Davis Police Department at 530.752.COPS, or through e-mail at:
http://police.ucdavis.edu/contact-info

I am sorry that members of our community are feeling the effects of these crimes. I also know that we will continue to pull together as a community and not allow the senseless acts of a few challenge our Aggie pride.

Sincerely,

Linda P.B. Katehi
Chancellor