OU official: Hate-based incidents unrelated

Dennis Tyner wants Ottawa University to be an open and welcoming community.

One that’s understanding and appreciative of differences.

That’s why Tyner, provost of the university, was “disappointed” last week when someone wrote hate-based language on a pumpkin during a pumpkin carving event in the university cafeteria.

“I’m disappointed to write to the Ottawa University community about an unfortunate incident that occurred in our cafeteria today during the noon hour,” Tyner wrote in a campus e-mail Friday.

Tyner said someone used permanent marker to write on the pumpkin and then placed it near other carved pumpkins on a stage in the cafeteria.

University officials are conducting an internal investigation to find who is responsible for the incident, Tyner said. He wouldn’t comment further about the incident, which is a violation of the university’s Standard of Conduct and Harassment Policy.

“I am asking anyone with information to contact me or the Dean of Student Affairs Office as soon as possible,” he said in the campus-wide e-mail.

Tyner said he did not think this incident was related to a police report filed last month after a 21-year-old Ottawa student reported that two white males yelled racist comments at him on campus.

“It is essential that we eliminate these incidents from occurring in the future,” Tyner said in the campus e-mail.