On September 23, antisemitic graffiti was identified on a dumpster next to Barnard’s campus, which was shown to have been defaced before arriving on campus.

Content warning: Antisemitism

This morning, a dumpster with swastikas painted on it was identified outside the Barnard campus, as acknowledged by Barnard President Laura Rosenbury in an email to the community. According to President Rosenbury, the graffiti was present on the dumpster for almost two hours before the College was made aware of its presence. 

After being notified of the graffiti, Barnard “took immediate steps to cover and remove” the swastikas, Rosenbury attested. She stated that the College reviewed security footage and concluded that the dumpster was defaced before entering Barnard’s vicinity this morning. Rosenbury wrote that the College would “more frequently monitor construction equipment delivered to Barnard” in the future. She denounced antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and affirmed Barnard’s commitment to being a safe and inclusive environment. 

The dumpster was present on Claremont Avenue outside Barnard’s Milstein Center, where construction is currently taking place for the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center. 

Email from Barnard President Laura Rosenbury to Barnard community members on Monday, September 23 at 1:58 pm: 

Dear Members of the Barnard Community, 

Earlier this morning, the College was horrified to learn that a dumpster delivered to Claremont Avenue outside the Milstein Center had swastikas painted on it. The swastikas were on display for almost two hours before we were alerted to their presence.

The College took immediate steps to cover and remove this repugnant graffiti. We also determined, through the review of security footage, that the dumpster arrived with the graffiti and was not defaced on our campus. Going forward, we will more frequently monitor all construction equipment delivered to Barnard.

Antisemitic symbols and other forms of bigotry and discrimination have no place on our campus or in our society. We are deeply committed to ensuring that Barnard is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for our entire community. 

 Very truly yours, 

Laura Ann Rosenbury

President, Barnard College

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