University officials: Black students behind hanging stick figure, slur

SALISBURY, Md. — Officials at a Maryland university say black students are behind a drawing of a hanging stick figure with a racial slur found on a library whiteboard.

News outlets quoted Salisbury University spokesman Richard Culver as saying that the students are black. He declined to identify them, citing privacy rules. The image found April 10 on a whiteboard showed a stick figure being hanged. It was labeled with a racial slur and accompanied by the hashtag "whitepower."

Culver said university police consulted with prosecutors and decided not to file criminal charges at this time. He said if the university determines any of the school's policies were violated, the students could face disciplinary action.

The development was first reported by the student newspaper, The Flyer.

Upcoming Events