Acting President Nancy M. Targett discusses the overnight incident and invites the campus community to attend a gathering at 4:30 p.m. on The Green.

7:12 a.m., Sept. 23, 2015--Nancy M. Targett, acting president of the University of Delaware, has announced that UD Police have determined that the incident reported on Tuesday night was not a hate crime. Below is the text of her message to the campus community.

To the members of the University of Delaware community:

Earlier this morning I sent you an email about a student finding what was believed to be three nooses hanging from a tree in front of Mitchell Hall on The Green.

Thanks to tips from students who responded to our earlier call for information and the investigative work of University of Delaware Police, it has been determined that the three noose-like items found outside Mitchell Hall were not instruments of a hate crime, but the remnants of paper lanterns from an event previously held on The Green.

UD Police Chief Patrick Ogden said, "We received several reports from students who said they had seen the materials hanging in the tree. I am confident that we have determined the origin of these items."

At the same time, the sensitivity of our campus to this potential issue clearly indicates a need for continuing dialog within our community. I continue to encourage everyone to join me at the gathering scheduled at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon on The Green.

The safety and inclusiveness of our campus are our top priorities, and we will always act quickly and decisively to respond to concerns of our community.

Sincerely,

Nancy M. Targett

Acting President