April 25, 2020

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Yesterday, members of the Association of African American Students (AAAS) at the

University of South Carolina gathered over a Zoom call to celebrate the organization’s
annual cookout event. Sadly, the event was interrupted by unknown persons who
hacked into the call and displayed hateful imagery and offensive racial slurs.

This is absolutely unacceptable, and we are saddened that our students had to witness
these despicable acts. Our students, who gathered in fellowship during a time of
hardship and uncertainty, expected that they'd be in a safe, welcoming environment.
Unfortunately, that environment was breached by cowardly individuals looking to cause
harm during this already difficult time.

We will be vigilant in responding to this incident. Our Division of Information Technology

has contacted Zoom and requested that the incident be investigated. Our Office of
Equal Opportunity Programs has been notified and is prepared to investigate in the
event that it is determined that University students committed these terrible acts. Our
Office of Diversity and Inclusion stands ready to assist any AAAS member who needs
assistance.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, and Zoom gatherings nationwide have been
crashed by individuals intent on spreading hateful messages. And while Zoom has
implemented recent security upgrades, clearly vulnerabilities still exist. We strongly
encourage members of our community using Zoom to review the Division of Information
Technology guidance on securing online meetings. I also encourage students, faculty
and staff to report incidents of bias and hate through our online reporting form.

At the University of South Carolina, we celebrate diversity and encourage respect for all
members of the community through our Carolinian Creed. This incident runs contrary to
the values we hold as Gamecocks, but also to the values we hold as a nation. We all
stand in solidarity with AAAS. We stand together as Gamecocks in the face of this
reprehensible event. We pledge once again our continuing commitment to respect the
dignity of all human beings and the ideals of the Carolinian Creed.

Forever to Thee,

Bob Caslen