Update from University spokesperson Jonathan Morales: “UPD has reached out to individuals who may have knowledge of the incident and they ask anyone with more info to come forward to help them identify who may have written the message.”

Faculty members of the SF State College of Ethnic Studies department found a racially charged message written on a whiteboard in one of the department rooms, according to a Facebook post by Africana Studies Professor, David Cook on Tuesday. The message read:

“WHITE MAN

DON’T IGNORE THE WHITE

GENOCIDE!

YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT!”

“So apparently someone belonging to this organized group of white supremacist felt comfortable enough to walk into the College of Ethnic Studies and put this up on our whiteboard,” Cook said in the post. “Over the past year there has been an increase in racial hostility directed at students of color on the campus.. There’s been a campaign of sorts from established white hate groups.”

Sofia Cardenas, a student minoring in race and resistance studies, believes that the graffiti incident poses a very real safety threat.

“The hateful rhetoric that inspired them is one that threatens communities of color everyday,” Cardenas said. “I hope that this administration understands the gravity of this hate crime and takes the necessary steps…by investigating this hateful act.”

A report was filed with the University Police Department on Aug. 17, according to University spokesperson Jonathan Morales.

“SF State issues Clery safety alerts in situations for which University Police Department has determined a threat to the community,” Morales said.

Notifications to students and department-related faculty have not been made.

Golden Gate Xpress was not able to reach David Cook, the dean of the College of Ethnic Studies or the associate dean of the College of Ethnic Studies by the time of publication.

The message adds to an already turbulent climate in the department, following disputes about the college’s funding and a 10-day hunger strike in May.

“I believe that this incident only further highlights the need for a fully funded and thriving College of Ethnic Studies,” Cardenas said.