The University of Colorado at Boulder is gathering information regarding an apparent bias-motivated incident in Cortez affecting a group of CU-Boulder students and visiting students from Dillard University, a historically black university in New Orleans.
A group of 18 CU-Boulder and Dillard students was visiting Cortez this week during a state tour as part of a joint leadership development program between the two universities.
Several of the students, some of whom are African-American, reported being harassed by individuals while walking near their hotel on Monday evening, June 21. They said they were physically intimidated and racial slurs were directed at them.
Chancellor Richard L. Byyny expressed his concern about the reports as well as the students' emotional well-being. "I was outraged and embarrassed to hear of these reports," Byyny said. "I have asked our University of Colorado Police Department and the vice chancellor for student affairs to gather all available information so that we can pursue an appropriate response.
"Over the years, we have developed a very positive partnership with Dillard, a fine university with outstanding students," he said. "Upon learning of this incident, I immediately contacted the Dillard president to express my deep regret and distress concerning these reports."
Byyny said the students met with a CU-Boulder police officer and student affairs representatives Wednesday evening when they returned to Boulder. Student support services were offered to all the individuals involved.
The state tour was supervised by CU-Boulder Associate Vice Chancellor Michael Grant and Rev. Gail Bowman, the chaplain for Dillard.
The educational partnership between the two universities was launched in 2002, with a focus on educational technology. Numerous joint projects have engaged faculty, students and administrators in curriculum enhancement, leadership development and issues related to information technology.