On Nov. 6, members of the Muslim Student Association came to their usual meeting place, building 21-Q in the Apartment Area, and found it desecrated. Someone had left feces on the front steps of the student's place of meeting and prayer.

"We are considering this a hate crime because there are bathrooms around the area," said Omar Howeedy, vice president of the Muslim Students Association. "I don't think anyone would want to do that with a good intent."

The students removed the feces from their meeting place immediately because "we always keep it clean out of respect," Howeedy said. Though the students did not file a police report, they met last week with Officer John Tighe of the Coral Gables Police Department to discuss the case.

"He told us that with the evidence gone there was nothing he could do," said Moiez Tapia, adviser to MUSA.

Although the police may not be able to investigate this particular event, the MUSA executive board plans to e-mail President Donna E. Shalala detailing the event. Their goal in sending the e-mail is to raise awareness on campus that intolerance is still alive and among us.

Dean of Students Ricardo Hall said that if any individual is found guilty, he or she may be suspended or expelled.

"My office and I take these types of incidents very seriously," Hall said. "It is disrespectful, disgusting and uncalled for in a college campus and anywhere else." [Link]