Macalester College in St. Paul is investigating more swastikas and anti-Arab markings drawn on campus this month, according to security alerts posted by the college last week.
A report was posted on the school website Wednesday alerting the campus that a swastika was drawn on a bulletin board inside George Draper Dayton Hall dormitory on Oct. 27. The school is treating it as an act of vandalism, according to the alert.
"Actions and behaviors such as this are unacceptable and have a wide range of negative impacts on the community," the report said.
The next day, the school reported that another swastika was carved into a dormitory door on Oct. 14. It is unclear whether it was the same residence hall where the marking was left Oct. 27.
On Thursday, markings that the school described as "anti-Arab hate speech" were reported, found on the door of a custodial closet in a dormitory, according to an alert posted Friday.
The school does not believe a particular student or employee was targeted.
The swastika, a symbol of the Nazi Party in Germany in the 1930s, has been tied more recently to anti-Semitism, racism and fascism. It has appeared on posters and signs at alt-right rallies, including one that turned deadly in Charlottesville, Va., in August.
In September, several swastikas were found on bulletin boards in Neill Hall, according to the school. Another was found carved in the library last year.
St. Paul police were informed of these incidents. The school is asking for anyone with information about the vandalism to call campus security at 651-696-6555 or the office of student affairs at 651-696-6220.
Counseling on campus is available for anyone who felt harmed or affected by the drawings, according to the alerts.
Miguel Otárola • 612-673-4753
