A troubling incident at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania has come to light, where a student-athlete is said to have carved a racial slur onto the chest of a teammate during an informal gathering of the swim team on September 6. The victim's family, choosing to remain anonymous, expressed dismay at the actions of the alleged perpetrator, whom the victim considered a friend and trusted. The reprehensible act has led to the alleged perpetrator no longer being enrolled at the college, as confirmed by college officials due to student privacy laws.

Neither the individuals involved in the incident nor the swimmer responsible for the alleged act have been publicly identified. The college, in conjunction with the family of the victim, has released a joint statement indicating that the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. They acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and express hope that it may serve as a pivotal moment for the community and beyond. Gettysburg College President, Bob Iuliano, strongly condemned the actions of the student athlete in a message to the campus community and expressed gratitude to the upperclass students of the swim team for reporting the incident promptly.

President Iuliano emphasized that there is no tolerance for actions or words that demean individuals based on their identity and history at Gettysburg College. The college's chief diversity officer will spearhead efforts to reflect on the incident and implement tangible steps to address the situation. While the victim has not contacted local authorities regarding the incident, the family has reserved the right to pursue criminal charges. The victim was reportedly dismissed from the swim team after being interviewed by coaching staff, though the current status of the involved students with regards to team activities remains undisclosed.