The University of Delaware has said three items found hanging from a tree on campus were not nooses – seeking to draw a line under reports that sparked outcry and alarm on campus.
Interim university President Nancy Targett initially announced on Wednesday that the discovery of the items hanging in front of a campus building on Tuesday night had prompted a hate crime investigation.
The discovery of the items had triggered alarm at the campus, with many voicing their concerns on social media.
But in a statement posted online around daybreak, Ms Targett said the investigation found that the items were not instruments of a hate crime, but left over from an event on The Green, a campus open space.
According to the Associated Press, Ms Targett said the incident revealed the campus’ sensitivity to the potential issue and showed a need for “continuing dialogue.” She invited the community to gather Wednesday afternoon.
