FOREST GROVE, Ore. — Pacific University responded after hate speech and violent threats were made toward Black students this week on the anonymous social media app called YikYak, a popular platform among college students and campuses.
No injuries or incidents have been reported, and police have been notified.
A spokesperson for Pacific University says the school was made aware of these threats two days ago. They sent an email to their students and staff members around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, notifying everyone of the incident and describing the YikYak post directed towards Black Student Union members.
The post included racial slurs, like the n-word, and a picture of a noose, according to that email.
KGW spoke with Dr. Pierre Morton, the vice president of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at Pacific University. He says he couldn't believe something like this is happening in 2024.
“Our campus safety is doing double duty,” said Morton. “I don't think that there's a threat. I really believe hurt people hurt people. And in today's political discourse, it has given permission for people to say things that they would not normally say to a person face-to-face.”
A Pacific University student told KGW she was surprised when she read the email and decided to log into YikYak — and saw the post herself.
“Little worried for the community, little scared for everyone,” said Kiarah O'hare-pham, who is a freshman, “because I thought it was a pretty welcome and community. I saw the club and the Black Union, and I almost joined; I was debating on joining and then I saw that and then I was like, 'Oh, no.'”
The university said it is meeting directly with students and providing resources through the Office of Student Support, the Counseling Center and the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
The university is also working to identify the IP addresses of the person who published that post. They will then turn the information over to the Forest Grove Police Department.
The university, in an email sent to KGW, said:
"Over the last 48 hours, Pacific University administration was made aware of threats and hate speech directed towards Black students posted on the anonymous social media app Yik Yak. Some of those posts include threats of violence towards other members of the Pacific Community.
Hate speech and violence are not consistent with Pacific’s values and will not be tolerated. Threats directed at any member of the campus community are taken seriously. The threatening posts have been shared with law enforcement for investigation and we are working to identify the responsible parties.
The university is meeting directly with students and providing resources and support to those targeted by the post through our Office of Student Support, our Counseling Center, and our Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
Pacific University is committed to developing a diverse and equitable community of students, faculty and staff as we live up to our mission to inspire students to think, care, create, and pursue justice in the world."