By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- An investigation into a threat made to a SUNY Potsdam faculty member will be investigated by all levels of law enforcement in St. Lawrence County as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The written threat, being described as a hate crime, reportedly included racist and homophobic remarks, as well violent threats to the faculty member and their family.

“The investigation is on-going and university police have reached out to village police, the sheriff’s department, state police and the FBI,” SUNY Potsdam spokeswoman Alexandra Jacobs said.

Jacobs said that the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s office has also been made aware of the investigation as well.

The alleged victim did not want to be identified due to personal and family safety fears, Jacobs said.

“We are working to make sure all safety concerns are met,” she said.

SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg said in a release to the campus community that the incident is “an attack on the heart and soul of the SUNY Potsdam community and all that we value.”

A student-organized rally to protest the incident is planned today, April 28, at noon at Minerva Plaza.

“The president is dropping everything to join the rally today,” Jacobs said.

The entire statement from SUNY Potsdam President Esterberg is as follows:

To the Campus Community:

We are writing to inform you of a heinous hate crime that has been inflicted on a member of our Potsdam family, and to enlist your help and support as we investigate and respond to this incident.

Over the weekend, a faculty member received a disturbing note that included racist and homophobic vitriol, as well as threats of violence both to the faculty member and their family. Not only is this a serious crime, but it is also an attack on the heart and soul of the SUNY Potsdam community and all that we value.

University Police is actively pursuing this investigation, and is seeking any information that the campus community may have about this incident.

The strength of our community is completely vested in our diversity of thought, belief and humanity. That includes respecting and valuing the lives of all members of our family, regardless of race and sexual orientation.

Hate crimes often stem from ignorance and fear. That is why we must join together to show that SUNY Potsdam will not tolerate hate, and we will do everything in our power to protect and support our growing campus community.

We believe that an attack on one member of this campus is an attack on all of us.

If you have any information related to this incident, it is critical that you contact University Police, at (315) 267-2222. You can also complete the anonymous online witness form, at http://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/safety/incidentreporting/witnessform.cfm.

We invite the campus to remain vigilant, to oppose ignorance, and to join us in supporting all members of our Potsdam family.

Sincerely,

President Kristin G. Esterberg

Provost Margaret E. Madden

Dean of Students Chip Morris

Faculty Senate Chair Jan Trybula

Student Government Association President Marcus Frisbee