The target of a racist incident earlier this month is demanding that NCC install cameras in the residence halls and implement more effective consequences for racial incidents in a video posted on social media.
The student, Angel Tovar, ‘23, found a note that was slid underneath her dorm room door in Rall Residence Hall on Feb. 6. The note contained an expletive and racial slur. Since the incident, Tovar has been speaking out, urging the college to take further action to prevent incidents from occurring.
In a video posted on Instagram, Tovar accused the college of being performative with its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. And she specifically singled out athletics for letting student-athletes commit bias incidents that occur with little to no consequences. This, she claims, has created a harmful and unhealthy culture on campus.
Tovar went on to say the discussion of cameras in the residence halls has occurred for so long, she’s convinced it is not actually happening, and that “someone is gonna have to die” for those conversations surrounding cameras to be taken seriously by the college’s administration.
She continued by saying she found it a shame the library, the new health and science building and Kaufman Dining Hall all have cameras but the residence halls don’t.
“Let’s take a second to think about that, imagine a bunch of furniture and classrooms having more security than the students on the campus,” said Tovar.
Tovar also urged people to boycott NCC’s Day of Giving on Thursday, Feb. 23.
“Why support a school who doesn’t prioritize the safety of their students? Why support an institution who continues to enable racism, homophobia, ableism, et cetera,” said Tovar.
If people do feel inclined to donate, Tovar asked that they donate to the multicultural student associations.
Tovar wrapped up her video statement by saying she was done conversing with the administration. According to her, she was being “gaslit” by them as she feels they do not care. Instead, she’s now asking to hear from the cabinet of NCC’s president, believing they are the actual decision-makers.
Update from the college
In an email to the NCC community on Wednesday, interim President Donna Carroll provided a few updates about the college’s response to the racist incident. According to Carroll:
- Campus Safety and Naperville Police continue their ongoing investigation.
- The college is looking into the possibility of installing cameras inside the residence halls, taking into consideration privacy concerns.
- The Office of Student Affairs is working with outside advisors to review the college’s bias incident reporting process and the student conduct policy.
- Student Affairs will also meet with student organizations to discuss the campus climate since the racist incident and strategies for change.
Carroll said she has also started meeting with key diversity, equity and inclusion leaders to deal with bigger questions about race and culture. She also stated the college should have no tolerance for hateful acts like the one that occurred on Feb. 6. She also questioned if the incident was part of a larger racist culture on campus.
“That is a very serious question that we cannot be afraid to ask; but it is not a question that can be answered in response to a particular incident or on Instagram,” said Carroll.
For now, Carroll says the college is trying to keep the campus community informed. Student Affairs and Campus Safety will attend the next faculty meeting on Feb. 28.
