Student admits to hanging noose on Duke campus

A noose was discovered hanging on a tree outside Duke University's student center early Wednesday morning.

The noose has since been removed, but photos taken have prompted outrage on social media.

Vice President of Student Affairs Larry Moneta described the act as "hateful and stupid" in an e-mail to students early Wednesday.

"I can't begin to describe the disgust and anger I felt, and still feel," Moneta wrote. "Though it has since been removed, the photos are everywhere and its hateful message will sadly pervade and persist for a long time."

He said the Duke community would provide students with the support necessary to get through this time — expressing hope that the "cowardly act of bias" would strengthen students resolve to support each other.

The discovery of the noose comes approximately two weeks after a black female student alleged that a group of white males chanted a racist song at her. This incident prompted president Richard Brodhead and Provost Sally Kornbluth to send an e-mail to students with an affirmation of the university's commitment to racial equity.

Brodhead and Kornbluth sent a second e-mail Wednesday condemning the hanging of the noose and announcing that a public forum to discuss the incident would be held at 5:00 p.m. on the steps of the Duke Chapel.

"We deplore these actions in the strongest possible terms," they wrote. "Today we ask you to help us demonstrate to our African-American students, faculty and staff, and indeed the world, our solidarity and unity in the face of cowardly acts of hatred."

Current student government president Lavanya Sunder and president-elect Keizra Mecklai released a statement urging the community to come together to eliminate prejudice from campus.

"Unfortunately, what happened last night is indicative of a pervasive problem of prejudice, bias and racism on this campus," they wrote. "The Duke community cannot allow this culture of intolerance to exist any longer."

Speakers at the forum — where students, faculty and staff filled the quad in front of the Chapel — reiterated this message and emphasized that the incident needs to be part of a larger conversation about race-relations on campus.

"We waited until a noose was hung around a tree to come together, to have a conversation about race," said junior Jason Ross, the president of National Pan-Hellenic Council. "We come together as a community for things like basketball, so why can't we show the same unity when talking about race?"

All speakers expressed their disgust with the act, which was repeatedly described as "cowardly." But the forum was not without hope — as speakers addressed the possibility of increasing black faculty, student and staff representation and fostering positive dialogue on campus.

"We are so much more than what was likely a small group of people with little minds, little courage and even less integrity," said Linda Burton, the dean of social sciences. "We will not tolerate this behavior on our campus."

The university announced Thursday that an undergraduate student had admitted to hanging the noose. Citing privacy laws, administrators said the student's name would not be released.

School officials said the student is no longer on campus, and further investigation into the case is ongoing.

Rachel Chason is a student at Duke University and a spring 2015 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent.