On Thursday, Campus Police responded to reports of swastikas drawn on the walls of Seelye, Bass and Burton halls. The swastikas were drawn in what appeared to be red marker.
President McCartney issued a statement in an email to the Smith community on Thursday night. “I condemn in the strongest terms this act of hatred and cowardice,” she wrote. “Hate has no place at Smith.”
She then stressed that the school’s first priority was to “ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone…especially members of the Jewish community and so many others for whom this symbol is an act of violence and an erasure of identity.”
Campus Police commenced a full search of campus for any further swastikas or related vandalism. They have also initiated an immediate investigation in coordination with the Northampton Police Department. The vandalism was removed by facilities staff.
That evening, the director of religious and spiritual life, Matilda Cantwell, opened a space for reflection at Helen Hills Hills Chapel.
On Friday, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Floyd Cheung sent an email to the Smith community with further updates and resources. That morning, Cheung convened the Bias Response Team, a group created to respond to reports of harassment and bias on campus. The purpose of the meeting was to build on previous reports of the vandalism.
SGA President Rosalie Toupin and Senator Tessa Solomon served as student representatives on this team. SGA sent an email to Smith students on Friday with a survey asking students to reflect on the following questions: “How do we help people feel safe? How do we reinforce our community?”
Throughout the day, events were held in support of and in solidarity with the Jewish community at Smith. There was a community gathering on Chapin lawn along with several events at Helen Hills Hills Chapel. The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life held a Shabbat dinner that evening. “We feel the best response is to come together in community and strength,” the center wrote on its events webpage. “We will sing, light candles, drink ‘wine’, and eat challah.”
In his email, Cheung also offered links to various resources for students and employees:
“An attack on any members of our community is an attack on all of us,” he wrote.
Members of the community with information relevant to the incident are encouraged to call Campus Police. Students who would like to seek counseling can call 413-585-2840 to speak with a member of the counseling team.
