LEWISBURG, Pa. — Students walk to and from class at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. Many of them were talking about a letter they received from University President John Bravman about a recent act of antisemitism on campus. According to the letter, a swastika was found in a residence hall on campus.
"Especially considering what's going on in the world right now, I'm a Jewish student, and it's really, really scary to think that that's prevalent on campus," Maci Cohen said.
As a Jewish student and a freshman, Maci Cohen says the incident hit too close to home.
"I think it just makes me feel really unsafe, especially because it was in our hall like right next door is where the swastika was placed in his room. So the idea that someone could trespass into my room and do that," Cohen said.
In a letter sent to students, University officials said, "Hateful speech, acts or symbols — directed toward any individual or group — have no place at Bucknell and will carry consequences."
The letter went on to say swift action was taken against the act of antisemitism. A university spokesperson says that action included an immediate investigation, which has finished. The spokesperson would not say what the punishment was for the student or students involved.
"It's kind of concerning. It's 2023, and we shouldn't be doing that, especially with what's going on, especially at a college where a bunch of people are Jewish," Alex Schenone said.
"I think it's really disturbing, and it's really uncalled for considering it came out of nowhere, and it goes to show that stuff like that still exists, especially in places like this," Alex Fraser said.