Daniel Paul Watkins

Daniel Paul Watkins, senior political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., and Students' Association president, finding

Daniel Paul Watkins, a senior political science major from Fredericksburg, Va. who's black, reported finding the noose on his chair Wednesday in the office that he uses as head of Abilene Christian University's Student Congress.

Daniel Paul Watkins, a senior political science major at the school of 4,700 students, came into the Students' Association office last Wednesday to find a noose sitting on his desk, said Jimmy Ellison, chief of police for ACU.
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Watkins, who serves as the president of the Student Association, reported the incident to police about 2 p.m. that day, Ellison said.
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Like 13 percent of his classmates, Watkins is black, and Ellison said the school has not yet determined whether the incident should be considered a hate crime.
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Ellison said that although rumors throughout the school have said otherwise, there was never a note or other form of threat left with the noose, and Watkins has not been the victim of any other threats since Sept. 3.
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Watkins declined yesterday to comment on the incident.

The police chief said the investigation is expected to be difficult because the Student Association's office is located in the Student Union, the most heavily trafficked building on campus.

He said the office is left unlocked for student use and the building is open to the public.

Daniel Paul Watkins, a senior political science major from Fredricksburg, Va., found the noose on his chair Wednesday in the office he uses as head of Abilene Christian University's Student Congress

Daniel Paul Watkins, a senior political science major from Fredricksburg, found the noose on his chair Wednesday in the office he uses as head of Abilene Christian University's Student Congress.
...
Daniel Paul Watkins, a senior at the school of just under 5,000 students, came into the Student Association Office last Wednesday to find a noose sitting on his desk, said Jimmy Ellison, chief of police for the ACU police department.
...
Watkins, who serves as president of the organization, reported the find to police about 2 p.m. that day, Ellison said.
...
Ellison added that though rumors throughout the school have said otherwise, there was never a note or other form of threat left with the noose, and Watkins has not been the victim of any other threats since Sept. 3.

Daniel Paul Watkins, president of the Students' Association at Abilene Christian University in Texas, found a noose on his office desk chair last week in what students condemn as a "hateful" and "wrong" act of racism.

Daniel Paul Watkins, president of the Students' Association at Abilene Christian University in Texas, found a noose on his office desk chair last week in what students condemn as a "hateful" and "wrong" act of racism. Administrators have yet to determine the perpetrator, but students are hoping that the event will do more to unify the school's diverse campus than to divide it. Student groups on campus are planning discussion panels and events to celebrate and promote cultural and ethnic diversity. Watkins says he sees the event as an opportunity to really address racial issues, and to expand social tolerance and education.

Daniel Paul Watkins, president of the Students' Association at Abilene Christian University in Texas, found a noose on his office desk chair last week in what students condemn as a "hateful" and "wrong" act of racism. Administrators have yet to determine the perpetrator, but students are hoping that the event will do more to unify the school's diverse campus than to divide it. Student groups on campus are planning discussion panels and events to celebrate and promote cultural and ethnic diversity. Watkins says he sees the event as an opportunity to really address racial issues, and to expand social tolerance and education.