Geneva College students seen on social media distributing ‘N-word passes’

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — Students at Geneva College in Beaver Falls are under fire after a social media post showed them handing out passes giving others the right to use the “N-word.”

Students told Channel 11 they don’t know if it started as a joke. Many said the lack of communication from college officials is leaving them with tons of questions.

“What I thought at first was OK, the school is going to crack down on it because in the times we live in, with racial tensions, you have to be a leader from the beginning,” said Julian Taylor.

The college responded with a statement after officials learned of the post:

“It has come to our attention that racist statements have recently been posted on social media by a Geneva student (or some Geneva students). Such racist posts are sins against God, His word, and the people toward whom they are directed. These posts violate Geneva’s mission, our community, and our school policies. We take such violations seriously and deal with them according to our code of conduct.

“God clearly establishes that every person is created in the image of God, including people of every color, ethnicity, and nationality. Therefore, we are working in our community to honor one another, including all our African American brothers and sisters and students of color. We live in a society torn by racial tensions, and Geneva is not exempt. But our mission commitments compel us as a community to engage actively in reconciliation in the face of painful racial tensions. The gospel of Jesus Christ calls together a redeemed people from all peoples and every nation.

“Geneva has a long-standing and historical commitment to racial equality in education. The Charter of Geneva College welcomes students of every race and faith. Black men and women were first admitted as students in 1865. Today, we continue to stand with our African American students and affirm what our founders declared in opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, that racism is ‘inhuman, oppressive, and God-dishonoring.’

“Per our policy and federal educational privacy laws, we cannot discuss the specifics of student disciplinary actions publicly.”

Taylor, a former Geneva student who works with diversity and inclusion, said this is not enough.

“How do those minorities at your college feel? What did you do for them? Did you talk about it? Did you have seminaries? You have the money and the resources. You are a college,” he said.

The college spokesperson could not tell Channel 11 if any of the students were being disciplined.

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