University President Michael Rao lambasted those responsible for anti-gay chalkings in an e-mail Tuesday to the CMU community.

The chalkings, which appeared Monday between Anspach and Pearce halls, left derogatory and vulgar messages pertaining to the gay community.

“I am disappointed that any human being could behave so disgracefully toward other human beings,” he said. “While the cowards who wrote these statements did not identify themselves, they should know that most of us in the community are disappointed and find this behavior repugnant.”

Rao did not implicate any group or person in the incident. It is unknown who is responsible.

The statements chalked included: “Straight = HIV free,” “fag zone,” “no sword play,” “vag > butt” and “say ‘no’ to gay pride.”

Rao said Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe will chair a committee during the summer that would develop a policy regarding public campus chalkings.

“I have to give some thought as to the membership of the committee,” Roscoe said. “We have to do a good job of looking at existing policies at other universities to check how effective they are.”

Though the chalk messages have been removed, Roscoe said no university officials removed them.

“Our policy is that no one removes chalkings,” he said.

Rao said the chalkings are protected by free speech, but they are inconsistent with the university’s views.

Phone calls to co-presidents of the Gay/Straight Alliance, South Lyon sophomore Ashley Wild and Tennessee sophomore Ben Dotson, were not returned.

Many students are upset and disapprove with the chalkings’ message.

“It’s offensive to me,” said Hillsdale junior Leah Rhine. “Putting someone down because of (being gay) is disgusting and gratuitous.”

Kelly Wanamaker, Canton freshman, said she was shocked at the chalk messages.

“This isn’t the place to write or say something like that,” she said.

Saginaw junior Kelly Ward agreed.

“I think people should keep that stuff to themselves,” she said.

Other students said while public displays like the chalkings are protected by free speech, they disagree with the message.

“You can have freedom of speech and malicious speech. The law makes a distinction,” said North Adams senior Mike Dowis. “Two or three people abuse freedom of speech, and it ruins it for everyone.”

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