The University of Rochester (UR) community is reeling after hundreds of “wanted” posters, depicting faculty and staff members, appeared on campus buildings late Sunday night. The posters, found across classrooms and common areas, criticized individuals for their views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some posters accusing faculty of “ethnic cleansing” and “hate speech.” 

“The University of Rochester strongly denounces the recent display of ‘Wanted’ posters targeting senior university leaders and members of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees,” UR President Sarah Mangelsdorf wrote in a statement to the campus community. “This act is disturbing, divisive, and intimidating and runs counter to our values as a university.”

In her letter, Mangelsdorf confirmed that the university’s Department of Public Safety has launched an investigation with assistance from local law enforcement. Public Safety Chief Quchee Collins described the incident as “an act of vandalism” meant to intimidate. The strong adhesive used to affix the posters has caused extensive damage to university property, requiring what officials described as a “painstaking” removal process from walls, chalkboards, and floors.

Hillel at the University of Rochester, a Jewish campus organization, expressed concern about the “deeply disturbing” nature of the posters, highlighting that the content disproportionately singled out Jewish faculty and staff and invoked antisemitic tropes.

“Several of those depicted appear to have been targeted because they are members of our Jewish community,” Mangelsdor wrote. “We view this as antisemitism, which will not be tolerated at our University. This isn’t who we are. This goes against everything we stand for and we have an obligation to reject it.”

As the investigation continues, university leaders have urged the campus community to stand united against hate, emphasizing the need for a safe and supportive environment for all.