BU Police Probe Racially Charged Computer Message at BU Academy

BU Police are investigating a racially charged message on a computer at BU Academy, a private high school on the Charles River Campus. Photo by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17)

Boston University Police are investigating an incident last week at BU Academy, a private high school on the Charles River Campus, involving a student’s discovery of a racially charged message on a screen in the school’s computer lab. Ari Betof, head of school, contacted police on May 11 after discussing the situation with his assistant head of school and with Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), BU associate provost and dean of students, and Jean Morrison, University provost.

Betof contacted the student and the student’s parent and began a formal investigation the day the incident occurred. He sent an email on Tuesday, May 17, to all BU Academy (BUA) parents, faculty, and staff delineating plans to support the student. He also announced two special meetings, an all-school meeting Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the BU School of Law auditorium, and another at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with parents and other community members, also at the LAW auditorium. The community meeting was webcast live. The BUA has 170 students in grades 9 to 12.

The school’s computer lab has been closed indefinitely during the investigation, and when it reopens students will have to log on using their Kerberos passwords, which were not previously required for in-school computers.

“I am writing to inform you about a recent incident at BU Academy that is deeply upsetting and is currently under investigation by Boston University Police,” Betof wrote in the e-mail, which was also posted on the academy’s website. “Last Wednesday, a student found a phrase of a racially insensitive nature—in this case, a highly inappropriate and offensive phrase appearing as a screen nickname for an online game—on a computer in our computer lab. This phrase has been used to abuse or insult African Americans. The student immediately called a parent, who in turn called me. At this time, we do not know if the phrase was left intentionally. Regardless, hate-filled language and epithets have no place in our community. Once I was told about the message, I immediately informed Assistant Head of School Michelle Cannon, locked the computer lab, and activated a dual protocol to both support the student and to begin a formal investigation.”

The BUPD’s attempt to identify, with the help of IT staff, the user who left the message has not yet been successful. The message was in the form of a username for the popular computer game Slither.io, which requires no log-in to sign on.

“Let me be unequivocally clear in saying that using race in an attempt to diminish and disparage others, in any form, is absolutely unacceptable at BU Academy,” Betof wrote. “I have been in regular contact with the student and the student’s family to ensure we are continuing to provide support and to update them on the ongoing investigation. I appreciate the grace they have shown in this situation and their willingness to assist us as the investigation continues.”

He wrote further, “Keeping our students safe and ensuring their emotional well-being is of paramount importance. We will continue to work with our partners at BU and the team investigating at BUPD. I will keep the BU Academy community informed in the days to come. Students and parents should also feel invited to contact me, Dean Elmore, or Deputy Director Paré with questions or concerns.”

Scott Paré, the University’s deputy director of public safety and BUPD deputy chief, said the police had not yet determined if a crime has been committed. “Our main concern is the safety of the students,” said Paré. “We take all reported incidents very seriously and will investigate this to the fullest.”

Elmore and Paré joined Betof at the all-school meeting Tuesday afternoon, which was abruptly moved from the LAW auditorium to the George Sherman Union auditorium because of a fire alarm originating in the LAW library. Addressing teachers and all BUA students except the recently graduated seniors, Betof called the slur “completely and totally unacceptable,” and said he is saddened by “what a message like this does to our community,” which he said was a congenial and close one.

Paré urged the students to be as cooperative as possible and share any information, using the BUPD text tip line, 847411, followed by BU and their message, if they choose.

“This is one of those rare times when you face a moral challenge,” Elmore told the students. “It’s easy for you to leave here upset, but I hope you leave here with hope that we can understand this, have difficult conversations, and do something about it.” 

The BUA has also made counseling resources available. Classes resumed after the meeting, but students wanting to meet with a counselor or go home for the rest of the day were excused. Counseling support will be available as needed, Betof said.

Paré and Elmore were also at Tuesday evening’s meeting for parents and community members. Betof addressed the small audience of parents and staff members as well as remote viewers, again offering assurances that the BUA and the BUPD are working to get to the bottom of “this deeply upsetting incident.” He shared his hope that students who have information will come forward.

Paré reminded parents that forensic analysis on computers is “not like CSI—it will take some time.” He said the BUPD may ask students for statements, but that doesn’t mean they are being targeted. If the student who left the message is identified, he said, “this could be a case of criminal harassment.”

“Let’s be real,” said Elmore, addressing the group. “This was someone from the community, and our main goal is to respond, to be proactive.”

“I’m sorry to have to ask for students’ help, and angry and sad that we have to navigate this,” said Betof, who came to his post as head of school one year ago.

Parents had some questions. One was concerned that the investigation would not yield results, and another asked if fear of prosecution might keep the person responsible from coming forward. Betof responded to the questions with the hope that the matter will be resolved and the school will be stronger for it.