OxfordPress.com

OXFORD — A Miami University student was questioned yesterday by police after officials said an art project placed in public view was racially insensitive.

An undergraduate, whose name was not released, hung several nooses and a tire swing from a tree on the Oxford campus, according to a university news release.

The man told police and university officials the display was part of a group art project.

Several students saw the nooses and called university police.

The student explained that he did not intend the display to be racially motivated and apologized for his actions, the news release said.

The police questioned the student and immediately removed the display.

"I am deeply troubled by this incident and the insensitivity that it reflects," said Miami University President David Hodge. "I am dismayed that any person on this campus ...would even unintentionally create such a display.

"I strongly condemn this display and deplore that in this campus community any person would believe this display is in any way acceptable. We must redouble our efforts as a community to educate every student here on the historic patterns of racism in this society," Hodge continued in the news release.

Nooses, long a symbol of lynchings and racism in America — beyond blacks and whites — have made news across the country during the past two months.

Earlier this month, a noose was found hanging on the doorknob of a black professor at Columbia University. The incident happened soon after demonstrations against the Jena Six case in Louisiana, in which white students hung nooses outside a high school and were not prosecuted.

Last month, University of Maryland maintenance officials discovered a noose hanging from a tree in an area frequented by black students.

Hodge said he will be available to meet this morning with any students, staff and faculty who would like to discuss what has happened.

"I am surprised and disappointed to see that this incident has taken place on our campus. There are established protocols for the display of controversial art in public spaces," said James Lentini, dean of the School of Fine Arts at Miami. "Typical guidelines would dictate that a potentially offensive display should be in a place where safeguards prevent unintended viewing by the public. In this case, the placement of such socially charged symbols in public view violates good judgment. This incident prompts a call for a review of best practices regarding standards for artistic expression and exhibition."