OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Police at the University of Mississippi say they have turned over to the FBI information regarding vandalism apparently aimed at an African-American freshman.
"We are presenting everything we have about this case to them," University Police Chief Calvin Sellers said in The Oxford Eagle (http://bit.ly/RLLA3t). "They will investigate to see if this is a hate crime or civil rights violations."
The university said Jamal Woods notified an instructor in August that a racial slur had been written on his dormitory room door. The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/RLLCs2 ) that residence hall officials confirmed the slur and streaks of lotion were found on Woods' door.
The student was moved to another dorm, where no problems were reported until Nov. 5, when his pickup truck was vandalized.
News of the investigation follows a protest against the re-election of President Barack Obama earlier this week, during which some people at the school shouted racial slurs. Two people were arrested on minor charges.
The Graduate Student Council at Ole Miss is putting together a panel discussion Nov. 27 at the Overby Center on campus that will examine the perception and the reality of the protest event.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press