Four students from the University of Rochester were recently arrested following an incident involving the distribution of inflammatory 'wanted' posters across the campus. University officials labeled the posters as antisemitic due to their language and targeting of specific individuals, including Jewish faculty members.
Chief Quchee Collins from the Department of Public Safety stated that the students involved are being charged with felony criminal mischief. Their identities were not disclosed in the official announcement about the arrests.
Additionally, an investigation is ongoing regarding a fifth person who may also be connected to the incident, reported Democrat & Chronicles.
How were the University of Rochester students arrested?
On Monday, November 11, university officials found posters in various campus areas, including tunnels, classrooms, and lecture halls. The posters featured a black-and-white image of a University of Rochester faculty member over a red background with the word 'WANTED' in bold.
They contained accusations of racism, hate speech, and connections to war crimes. Different versions of the flyers appeared across campus, prompting swift action from university authorities.
University officials criticized the posters as offensive and discriminatory, drawing national attention in the media. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer even addressed the issue on the Senate floor on Nov. 13. While the flyers didn’t mention heritage, many people highlighted in the posters were of Jewish ethnicity.
Chief Quchee Collins explained that the student’s actions don’t currently meet the legal requirements for a hate crime but are still considered 'targeted and biased'. Collins also explained that the decision to file criminal charges rather than pursue internal disciplinary action was guided by state laws.
These statutes require the university to address incidents that could harm the physical or mental well-being of its community members formally and appropriately.
In a statement published on the University of Rochester website, Chief Collins said:
"Our department has reached out to each individual targeted in the posted materials to offer additional safety support and resources. We’re ready to support them as needed."
He continued by requesting media outlets to:
"Refrain from republishing or broadcasting images of the posted materials. Colleagues from other institutions have shared with us that they have seen activity similar to what we have experienced at the University."
The University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf released a statement condemning the act. Sarah stated that individuals in the posters were likely targeted due to their Jewish identity, which the university deemed as antisemitism and unacceptable.
She affirmed that such behavior conflicted with the institution's core values and commitment to a safe, inclusive environment. Sarah also mentioned that the Department of Public Safety had been actively investigating the matter, using all resources available to gather evidence and ensure accountability. She said:
“I want to be as clear as I can that the University of Rochester strongly denounces the recent display of ‘wanted’ posters targeting senior university leaders and members of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees. This act is disturbing, divisive, and intimidating and runs counter to our values as a university.”
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Officials are still investigating the fifth person who is allegedly related to the crime.
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