Slippery Rock University is working with law enforcement in an investigation of two recent “Zoom bombing” incidents that interrupted virtual Black History Month events with racist and violent video and audio.

Zoom bombing is a practice in which someone interrupts a virtual meeting with unrelated video or audio.

The first incident occurred Feb. 13 during an evening poetry reading hosted by a sorority, and the second took place Thursday evening during a presentation about Black athletes, university officials said.

University police are investigating and working with state police, the county District Attorney's Office and the FBI. SRU's Information and Administrative Technology Services department is assisting in the investigation.

The Information and Administrative Technology Services team traced the IP addresses of the attackers in both incidents to a foreign country, but believe that information is incorrect, the university said. If the perpetrators are identified as SRU students, they will face full disciplinary sanctions, said William Behre, SRU president.

“When an incident like this occurs, we are all shaken,” Behre said. “As the police do their work, the rest of us must do ours, which is to reaffirm that actions like this are anathema to what we stand for, and to support our African-American students, faculty and staff members who have been victimized. Given the serious and divisive nature of what has occurred, the university will be hosting three opportunities for open discussion of ways to strengthen our commitment to supporting a diverse campus.”

Hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Feb. 13 event featured a poetry reading, workshop and discussion about prominent Black poets, but was interrupted by the posting of racist and derogatory remarks and images, Behre said.

“The acts perpetrated by these individuals were reprehensible and do not in any way, shape or form align with our institutional goal of fostering a campus climate that is free from discrimination, intolerance and bigotry,” Behre wrote in a letter emailed to the university community. “Frankly, I am disgusted and saddened that members of our community were attacked in this way. I can only imagine the hurt, anger and frustration felt by our students who were witness to this act of ignorance and hostility while they were gathered together in peace and friendship.”

The Feb. 25 incident took place during an event titled “When Black Athletes Protest,” a panel discussion about Black athletes protesting racial injustice that was co-hosted by the history department and the Phi Alpha Theta History Honorary Society.

Anonymous Zoom bombers attacked the event with a song featuring violent, racial slurs; a video depicting graphic self-harm; and audio of an explicit sexual nature.

“I am deeply disturbed, saddened and angry to have to report this second racist, bigoted, and cowardly attack directed at members of our campus community,” Behre responded after the second incident.

In his second letter to the community, he said: “To those members of our campus community, please know that not only do I strongly condemn these horrific acts, but that I stand with you, as does our university. We, as a community, are sorry that this has happened to you again.”

SRU's Campus Inclusion Response Team was contacted and continues to review and monitor the situation. The team is designed to take action when incidents related to bigotry, harassment or intimidation are initiated by or directed at people who are part of the campus community.

University administrators will also work with student clubs and organizations to discuss options for increasing online security for all future virtual events.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents and needs support or would like to talk with someone about the experience can call the SRU Counseling Center at 724-738-2034, the Student Support Office at 724-738-2121 or by submitting a referral.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the university police confidential tip line at 724-738-2778.