The University of St. Thomas announced Tuesday that a student has decided to withdraw after going viral in a social media video that showed her shouting a racist insult at protesters outside a Turning Point USA event at the University of Minnesota on Oct. 14.
The student, whose identity has not been released by the university, provided a statement included in Tuesday’s announcement.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during the situation with the protesters. What I said and did was wrong, and I understand that my actions caused hurt and disappointment,” the student wrote. “Regardless of the circumstances, I should have handled the situation with respect, and I take full responsibility for my behavior. I am truly sorry.”
The student added, “I know I have a lot to learn from this experience, and I am committed to educating myself and better understanding how my words and actions affect others.”
St. Thomas followed the statement with a reminder of the institution’s roots in Catholic tradition, stating: “We encourage all members of our community to take accountability when their actions do not live up to these values. We further condemn the actions by those outside our community who have engaged in threats of violence, intimidation and harassment.”
St. Thomas President Rob Vischer also issued a statement to St. Thomas students in an email Tuesday afternoon, writing that the university “has been in the glare of social media” since the viral video.
“I know that this has caused pain and anxiety to many members of our community,” Vischer wrote.
Vischer wrote that the university’s commitment to welcoming immigrants is “inseparable from our Catholic identity.” He added that the university’s calling is to “build and steward a community in which every person is welcomed, respected, and treated with dignity.”
He wrote that the university’s 141-year history of thriving was made possible “because immigrants have thrived at St. Thomas.”
“We are a richer community because of the diverse backgrounds of our students, and we’re deeply grateful for each of you. We’re committed to building and strengthening a culture in which all students feel welcomed, respected, and celebrated. And together, we will thrive,” Vischer wrote.
The video, which has over 408,000 likes and 10.4 million views as of Oct. 20, sparked responses from other community members. Other posts that include the video have gained over a million views each as well.
A protest demanding disciplinary action against the student planned for Oct. 22, from 4-6 p.m. on the corner of Summit and Cleveland avenues, will continue as planned, according to one of the organizers, who also claims to be the same person the student shouted at on Oct. 14.
Grace Woelfel can be reached at woel8456@stthomas.edu.
Kevin Lynch can be reached at lync1832@stthomas.edu.
