A message from Chancellor Ballard:

ECU Rejects Acts of Ethnic Intimidation

Today East Carolina University police arrested an East Carolina student on charges of simple assault and ethnic intimidation in connection with an incident that occurred on our campus Thursday, March 17, around 6:15 p.m.

According to ECU police, the suspect assaulted an African-American student near a bus stop on College Hill near Gateway and Tyler residence halls. While committing the assault, the suspect used a racial slur, police said.

I want to reinforce to our students, faculty, staff and community that the university will not put up with any acts of ethnic intimidation and we will show zero tolerance for it on this campus.

We will investigate all reports of such acts and those who are found to commit them will be prosecuted fully through the legal system. We also will work through our student conduct system to reinforce zero tolerance.

No one on the ECU campus should feel unsafe or targeted due to their race, color of their skin, religion, nationality, or country of origin, gender or sexual orientation. Acts or behavior against others for these reasons will not be tolerated or accepted.

I would ask everyone to join me in rejecting acts of intimidation and in working to make this campus a community of acceptance where we all feel safe.