An independent investigator’s report on San Jose State University’s handling of a racially charged case in which a black student was bullied for weeks by his white roommates has found that the university acted quickly and did “everything it could” once it learned of the alleged harassment, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
Four white students have been suspended from the university and are facing criminal charges in the case, which drew strong campus protests when details of the bullying were revealed last fall. Some protesters questioned how residence-hall advisers and others at the university could have failed to recognize or act on signs of abuse. Among other intimidating acts, the white students are accused of verbally abusing their black roommate, barricading him in his room, and putting a bicycle lock around his neck.
But the independent investigation, led by Myron D. (Mike) Moye, a prominent San Francisco lawyer, determined that residence-hall staff members did not know about the bullying for weeks, in part because of the victim’s desire to keep it private. Once those staff members realized the extent of the problem, they immediately transferred two of the students and filed a report on the victim’s behalf with the campus police.
Some students expressed disappointment with the report, saying it focused too much on the victim’s silence and not enough on the university’s policies and educational initiatives.
The university’s president, Mohammad H. Qayoumi, had no comment on the report on Monday, saying he needed time to review its findings.
