{
  "id": "2026-04-28-lehigh-university-bias-vandalism-at-southside-commons",
  "slug": "lehigh-university-bias-vandalism-at-southside-commons-2026-04-28",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Lehigh University",
    "shortName": "Lehigh",
    "state": "PA",
    "type": "private-r2",
    "alertSystemName": "HawkWatch",
    "enrollment": 7500
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-04-28",
    "type": "threat-of-violence",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Bias Vandalism at SouthSide Commons",
    "headlinePublic": "Bias Vandalism at SouthSide Commons",
    "summary": "Lehigh University Police [issued a HawkWatch notification](https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=250475&t=668915310). Full text is preserved from the official AppArmor CAP alert page.",
    "outcome": "See official HawkWatch alert for investigation status and safety guidance."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "multi-channel",
      "verbatimText": "Clery Act Timely Warning - Bias Vandalism at SouthSide Commons\n\nTIMELY WARNING: Vandalism \n\nLocation: SouthSide Commons - University Housing, 444 Brodhead Ave., Bethlehem, PA\n\nIncident Type: Bias-Motivated Vandalism\n\nSummary of Incident\n\nIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Lehigh University is issuing this Timely Warning to notify the campus community of an ongoing series of bias-motivated acts of vandalism.\n\nOn April 27, 2026, the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) received a report of a swastika scratched into a glass panel of an elevator located in the SouthSide Commons. While the initial discovery was made yesterday, it was originally unclear how long the image had been present.\n\nHowever, during a follow-up investigation last evening, new swastikas were found written in the same elevator. This second act of vandalism indicates a recurring and ongoing pattern of behavior. \n\nOngoing Threat Assessment\n\nThe recurrence of this activity suggests that the person(s) responsible is currently active within the SouthSide Commons area. Lehigh University takes all acts of hate and bias-motivated vandalism seriously, as they impact the safety and well-being of our entire community.\n\nCall for Information\n\nThe Lehigh University Police Department is actively investigating these incidents. We are asking for the community's assistance in identifying those responsible:\n\n- Report Information: If you have any information regarding these acts, or if you observed suspicious activity in SouthSide Commons overnight, please contact LUPD at 610.758.4200.\n\n- Anonymous Tips: Anyone can send LUPD information using this form: https://campussafety.lehigh.edu/police/clery-act-information-statistics/report-crime\n\nSafety & Support Resources\n\n- Report Bias: If you encounter hate symbols or experience bias on campus, please report it immediately to LUPD.\n\n- Counseling Services: Support is available for students through the University Counseling Center at 610.758.3880.\n\nA Timely Warning is issued by the University when a crime occurs within Clery Geography that is deemed to represent a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community. Its purpose is to provide information that allows community members to take necessary precautions for their safety.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=250475&t=668915310",
      "sourceDescription": "Lehigh HawkWatch AppArmor CAP notification",
      "annotations": [
        "Transcribed from official lehigh.apparmor.com HawkWatch CAP page.",
        "incident.date from Alert sent timestamp on CAP page."
      ],
      "characterCount": 2332,
      "confidence": "high",
      "timestampApprox": "Tuesday, April 28, 2026 9:29:58 AM"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Lehigh University HawkWatch / Clery timely warning series via AppArmor CAP archive.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official HawkWatch CAP page preserves the Event and Description of the campus notification."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "official-archive",
      "title": "Clery Act Timely Warning - Bias Vandalism at SouthSide Commons",
      "url": "https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=250475&t=668915310",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "lehigh",
    "hawkwatch",
    "clery",
    "threat-of-violence"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}