Editor’s note: This message was emailed to all students, faculty and staff on Feb. 22, 2016.
Dear SJSU community,
A jury in Santa Clara County criminal court earlier today returned verdicts on misdemeanor charges against three former SJSU students accused of race-based hate crimes against a fellow student and residence hall suite mate in fall 2013.
All three defendants were found guilty of misdemeanor battery. One of the three was found not guilty of a misdemeanor hate crime; the jury could not reach a verdict on hate crime charges against the other two.
A fourth defendant was a minor when these acts occurred and was adjudicated through the juvenile court. That outcome is confidential.
All four students who engaged in these acts are no longer enrolled at SJSU. The victim and his family are pursuing civil remedies independent of the criminal actions.
Much work lies ahead as we seek to create a truly inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for every member of our community. We continue moving forward on multiple fronts:
Plans are underway to bring campus community members together this semester to openly discuss results of the most recent campus climate survey.
The search for a chief diversity officer is moving toward a conclusion; semifinalist interviews will take place this weekend.
More information will follow on these and other efforts.
Sue Martin
Interim President