Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Public Safety Ginger Ambler sent the following message to the campus community on Feb. 21, 2024. – Ed.
Dear W&M Community,
Yesterday graffiti with threatening, anti-Israel messaging was discovered on the walkway that leads to the School of Education from Compton Drive.
This will not be tolerated at William & Mary. Threats of violence have no place in our community, and vandalism of university property is a criminal act. Such behavior also violates our core values of integrity, respect and belonging.
The vandalism will be thoroughly investigated and the individual or individuals responsible will face criminal charges. If the vandals are discovered to be students, they will also face student conduct charges for damaging campus property.
As I emphasized in my email communication to students last semester, free speech that challenges ideas and encourages dialogue is welcome and invited in our community. Such expression is essential to both a thriving university and a healthy democracy. Practicing civil discourse is especially important in times of conflict. Engaging in vandalism, threats and destruction of property, on the other hand, has no place at W&M and will have consequences.
I urge you to share any information you may have about this incident to assist in the ongoing investigation. Reports can be made by calling the W&M Police, 757-221-4596 or by using our Report Concerns website. There are supportive resources available on campus for anyone impacted by this incident including the Counseling Center/TimelyCare, Campus Ministries United, Care Support Services, and Human Resources.
Sincerely,
Ginger Ambler