'Hateful' messages posted on dorm door

New Britain, Conn. (WTNH) - Students and staff at Central Connecticut State University are rallying behind two of their own after they found threatening and derogatory messages at their dorm.
    
The messages appeared directed at their sexual orientation.

In a letter to the university Carl Lovitt, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CCSU, explained, "two of our students in one of our residence halls were subjected to a series of threatening, hateful, and derogatory messages about their sexual orientation." (Read the full statement below)
    
Those on campus are making it clear this hateful act will not be tolerated.

"Let me state clearly and unequivocally that acts of bias and hate will not be tolerated at CCSU," Lovitt wrote.

While police didn't say which dorm this hate crime happened in, they are saying that it happened late Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police aren't saying exactly what was written, but it was so graphic and threatening the two students were removed from the dorm and state police were called in to investigate. The students were offered counseling.

"I got the same email as everyone else did and I was shocked that someone would write threatening messages on someone's door, threatening their sexual orientation. I didn't feel like Central was like that," said CCSU student Zoe James.

Due to the nature of the crime it is being classified as a hate crime and the person can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Students at WestConn rallied on Wednesday in response to a similar situation at their school. [Read the story here]

Read Lovitt's full statement below:

Dear Colleagues and Students:

First, let me state clearly and unequivocally that acts of bias and hate will not be tolerated at CCSU. They hurt our colleagues and students; they contravene our educational mission; they undermine our sense of community. I regret to report that last night and into the early hours of this morning two of our students in one of our residence halls were subjected to a series of threatening, hateful, and derogatory messages about their sexual orientation. These messages were posted on the door of their room. CCSU police were notified, began their investigation, and conducted hourly patrols. The investigation is continuing. The students have been temporarily moved to another residence hall and were offered counseling and other support. A State Police Bias Crime Report has been submitted.

I know you join me in condemning this hateful act. I urge you to reach out to students who are affected by this crime to show them that we stand with them and to assure them that we are doing all in our power to ensure that the University is a welcoming and safe place for all. The University offers a number of resources to help our students and others victimized by violence, hate, and intimidation. Information about these resources is available on the websites for Student Affairs , the Office of Diversity & Equity , the LGBT Center , and the Ruthe Boyea Women's Center .

The Offices of Student Affairs, Residence Life, and Diversity & Equity and the LGBT Center are coordinating a series of forums and events to be held during the coming weeks. The first of the events is a Solidarity Rally to be held on Tuesday, March 13, at 5:00 pm in the Student Circle Center. The schedule for other events will be announced on the web and by email.

We can use these events to inform ourselves and to show our solidarity with those hurt by hatred.

Carl R. Lovitt
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Central Connecticut State University