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

A student found the nooses after walking into Engineering and Technology Building room 228, said Police Chief Stan Dinius.

The student reported the findings to a staff member who forwarded the information 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.”

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 for use as evidence.

An air hose valve, underneath the cabinets, where the nooses were hung also was removed.

CMU Police are offering anyone with information about the case a $500 reward. They can call 774-3081 or a tip line at 774-1874.

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

In a statement released by the university Thursday afternoon, CMU’s high-ranking officials indicated they will not tolerate these types of hateful actions.

“The legacy of discrimination is embodied in those nooses, and it is a legacy that we must aggressively strive to discontinue,” the statement said. “We are not in agreement with continuing this legacy of hatred and discrimination and affirm that we have benefited from the courage of those who are willing to ensure fairness and equality for all human beings. We hope everyone will use this despicable occurrence as an opportunity to learn and talk about the importance of inclusion – something most of us know is right and want.”

Tony Voisin, director of Student Life, said it is too early to determine any sort of punishment facing those who constructed and hung 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.”

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

“Whoever did this has to realize it’s not a joke,” Voisin said.

After finding out about the situation Wednesday night, Student Government Association President Mike Zeig said he was both surprised and disgusted that something like this made its way to Mount Pleasant.

The Sterling Heights senior said he is concerned with how this incident will affect campus diversity.

“I think it is very hard to recruit diverse students if incidents like this happen,” Zeig said. “I don’t know that there’s a specific action we (SGA) can take, but I think there’s some dialogue we can have.”

According to the university’s statement, officials are encouraging students to join a petition denouncing the similar actions that have taken place over the past few months at colleges across the country. Those interested can e-mail their information to cmuline@cmich.edu.

Detroit sophomore and SGA senator TaNisha Parker has worked to increase diversity at CMU, but said she is upset that students are finding out about the situation days after it actually occurred.

“I think this is a spit in the face in the effort to increase diversity,” Parker said.

And although this case might have an effect on campus diversity, Parker considers it merely a “bump in the road.”

“I see it as a perfect opportunity for our students to unify and come together to let people know that we are serious about the promotion of diversity,” she said.

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