By Signal Editorial Board
“Both of the Signal writers last names tell me all I need to know.”
What could this mean? Is it just a joke, or is it offensive?
“That last name is more Jewish than the world bank.”
How about that one? Clearly anti-Semitic, right? Even though the second quote wasn’t addressing The Signal’s writers, what if the same individual who wrote it also wrote the first message. Does that change your interpretation of it?
“Both of the Signal writers last names tell me all I need to know.” What provoked someone to say this?
A screenshot of an Instagram comment section.
Last November, The Signal asked numerous students at random with differing political views to summarize how they were feeling post-election. Photos of those students and their answers were then posted on our Instagram page as well as our website.
Soon after the post was made, The Signal received a tip that the TCNJ College Republicans, a Recognized Student Organization, were sending seemingly anti-Semitic messages in a public GroupMe chat that targeted two Signal editors.
As reporters do, we investigated.
Through a join link in the TCNJ College Republicans’ public Instagram bio, we accessed the RSO’s GroupMe chat where every message that had ever been sent was available to read. Any individual in the world could have accessed this chat.
Racism, homophobia, transphobia and anti-Semitism. These were themes commonly found throughout many of the TCNJ College Republicans’ conversations, some of which were directed at students, by name, who identify as part of marginalized groups.
The Signal is choosing not to publish a majority of the most hateful messages that were uncovered to protect the identities of affected students and the other RSOs they represent.
The entire Signal Editorial Board strongly condemns the statements made by the TCNJ College Republicans. And let us be clear that our condemnation has no relation to the political nature of this RSO; we would condemn these comments no matter who said them.
In defense of their actions and hateful words, the group used the First Amendment as a shield. While The Signal strongly supports the First Amendment, how far is too far when your freedom of speech is harming your fellow students?
As one of multiple student organizations that felt victimized by their hate speech, The Signal decided to voice our concerns to the Office of Student Conduct in November. After filing a bias report, we spoke with members of the department about the situation, providing details and direct screenshots from the GroupMe.
On Dec. 18, we were informed that “there isn’t sufficient information or evidence that arises to charges of violations of the Student Conduct Code or Recognized Student Organization Privileges & Responsibilities at this time.” So when is it enough? What crosses the line of a violation?
According to the College’s Student Rights through the Office of Student Conduct, all students should “respect the right of fellow students to participate in College or outside organizations, associations, or relationships with other students without fear, threat, or act of hazing.”
Apparently the College doesn’t consider calling out individual students of specific RSOs by name with homophobic or transphobic comments to be fearful or threatening.
“Respect the rights of others to pursue an exceptional education free from harassment, bullying, defamation, and discrimination,” another expectation of Student Conduct’s Student Rights says.
Apparently the College doesn’t consider the comments of the TCNJ College Republicans to be harassment, bullying or discrimination, either.
So what does the College consider an active example of harassment, bullying and discrimination? This isn’t a rhetorical question; we’re genuinely asking.
If the College declines to enforce components of the Student Conduct & Expectations, what’s the point in even having it?
How can students feel comfortable disclosing sensitive information to Student Conduct without a promising outcome or solution?
The Dec. 18 email from Student Conduct also stated that “in similar circumstances, we have opted to have an educational conference to address any concerns raised.” However, after we received that email, we did not hear anything further from Student Conduct. We were not made aware of how much action was truly taken, but what we do know is that the TCNJ College Republicans are still an actively recruiting RSO.
Luke Sacks, the College’s head media relations officer, declined to comment on this matter, citing the College’s inability to comment on student conduct cases.
In such a divided political climate, students should be able to feel safe among their peers. Students should be able to participate in their respective organizations without fear of receiving hate. Students should be able to simply exist on campus without fear.
