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Students Rally At Towson Univ. After Series Of Hate Bias Incidents On Campus

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Towson University unites after a series of hate bias incidents on campus. A rally was held Friday to address student concerns.

Meghan McCorkell explains it got heated, as students demanded answers about what's being done.

Students say they've seen a steady stream of racist incidents on campus, including one Thursday night.

There was a blackboard with a message against racism on it Thursday afternoon. But overnight, someone defaced it, writing "Satan Rules Towson" overtop.

Students say racial tensions at the school have been on the rise. On Friday, the school held a unity rally to stand in solidarity against hate and bias.

"I feel like the administration needs support of the students and we need them as well," said Josephine Hill, student.

The new university president is trying to turn the tide on campus.

"There are incidents on the campus, I won't deny that at all. And it's against many different identity groups, making them not feel welcome," said Kim Schatzel, Towson University president.

Friday's rally comes in the wake of a disturbing incident inside a school cafeteria. A worker told Towson police a student made racist and disruptive comments and then threw change at her.

Police determined no crime was committed, but the student could face discipline under the school's code of conduct.

Some at Friday's rally say they want stronger actions.

"Don't give me a politically correct answer, give me a process by which you plan to remove these people that are, in fact, creating the problem," said Veronica Canarte, student.

They feel Friday's dialogue was a step in the right direction.

"We are not going to have university climate like that when I know that there's so much positivity that we have," said Hill.

The university president has promised to revamp the way hate bias incidents are dealt with on campus.

University police are now reviewing surveillance cameras around the defaced blackboard.

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