UPDATE: Police question students, employees in noose incident

Posted at 12:45 p.m.

Central Michigan University Police are questioning students and employees after someone found four hangman nooses hanging inside a classroom.

A student came across the nooses earlier this week while walking into Room 228 inside the Engineering and Technology Building, said Police Chief Stan Dinius.

The student reported his findings to a staff member, who then forwarded the information on to police at 1:15 p.m. Monday.

“At this time, we have no idea why someone would put them up there,” Dinius said. “There are several people who operate in that room. It’s an open lab where people can go at any time.”

The university sent out a press release Wednesday evening regarding the incident.

Dinius said the nooses were made of flexible compressed gas lines that are used for laboratory work. Officers have removed the nooses from a cabinet in which they were hanging from and sealed them up to use as evidence.

An air hose valve located underneath the cabinets where the nooses were hung also has been removed from the classroom.

CMU Police are offering anyone with information about the case a $500 reward. Dinius is strongly encouraging anyone with information to call the department at 774-3081 or the tip line at 774-1874.

Tony Voisin, director of Student Life, said it is too early to determine any sort of punishment one would face for constructing and hanging the nooses.

“Until we know it’s targeted at an individual, it’s hard to figure out what direction we move,” Voisin said. “Certainly, if we found out it was targeted toward an individual, the Code of Conduct could come into effect.”

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities conducts disciplinary proceedings related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Because the case is under investigation, Dinius could not say whether or not the act was directed toward a certain individual or group.

“If the intent was to intimidate someone, that is something that is a concern,” Voisin said. “Whoever did this has to realize it’s not a joke.”

news@cm-life.com