Gettysburg College Investigates Racial Incident Involving Swim Team Member

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Gettysburg College has come under national scrutiny following an alarming incident involving a member of its men’s swim team. A student has been accused of using a box cutter to carve a racial slur into the chest of another student. The event reportedly took place on September 6 at an informal social gathering within a campus residence.

The implicated student is no longer enrolled at Gettysburg College, although the institution has not confirmed whether formal expulsion procedures were undertaken. Obaapa Danquah-Smith, a junior and president of the Gettysburg African Student Association, spoke out, expressing disappointment in the college’s handling of the situation. “I can’t say I was surprised, it’s very unfortunate that this is what gave the school attention,” said Danquah-Smith.

The incident has sparked criticism from various student bodies, including the Black Student Union and the African Student Association, over what they perceive as a lack of transparency from the college administration. Danquah-Smith stated she learned about the incident through social media, indicating a gap in communication between the administration and students.

“Especially me, being the Black Student Union president, not once was I reached out to from anybody from the school to let us know what is going on,” said Justin Whittick, sophomore and president of the Black Student Union at Gettysburg College. He emphasized the importance of being informed, despite understanding the administration’s limitations on sharing specific details.

Both Danquah-Smith and Whittick noted that the incident does not make them feel less safe, illustrating a belief that this does not reflect the college’s culture. “We feel this situation is not reflective of the culture here at Gettysburg,” Whittick added.

The college president issued campus-wide communications concerning the matter, and discussions with the victim’s family were published in “The Gettysburgian,” the student newspaper, on September 22. The institution’s Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, Jamie Yates, confirmed to FOX43 that the investigation has concluded.

Gettysburg Borough’s police chief, Robert Glenny Jr., reported that while no charges have been filed and no police report has been made, he contacted the college upon learning of the incident through media. The college encouraged the victim to reach out to law enforcement but decided to manage the process internally.

In response to the incident, the Gettysburg men’s swim team released a statement clarifying their stance. “The intense focus surrounding recent events on campus has compelled us to address the incident directly,” the statement read. It reinforced that the incident was not related to the swim team nor reflective of its values.

The college confirmed that the student conduct investigation found no links between the swim team and the event, clearly stating it was neither a team-sanctioned event nor hazing. “Racism has no home here,” the statement affirmed, emphasizing the team’s commitment to maintaining their values.