SAN ANTONIO – Banners that were hung on the UTSA campus this week ahead of Saturday's Texas State football game at the Alamodome prompted a stern response from UTSA President Taylor Eighmy on Thursday.
Eighmy posted a letter on UTSA’s website that condemned the action and the students involved in creating the banners. The letter says, in part:
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"Earlier today we became aware of multiple banners hung on our campus with highly inappropriate and offensive messaging regarding UTSA’s football game with Texas State University this weekend," Eighmy said.
(WARNING: IMAGE BELOW IS GRAPHIC IN NATURE AND MAY BE OFFENSIVE)
"I fully and resolutely condemn this action on the part of the students involved in the creation and display of these banners," Eighmy said. "It stands against every principle in which UTSA believes: integrity, excellence, inclusiveness and respect.
Students from both universities posted potentially inappropriate or provocative messages on social media throughout the week, but one message in particular went viral and circulated on different media outlets.
“The images and sentiments depicted on the banners are disturbing in that they frame our athletic rivalry with Texas State in the context of interpersonal violence and sexual assault," Eighmy said. "We cannot, as an institution, tolerate the perpetuation of a campus culture where these very serious issues are used lightly or in jest.”
“Please know we are taking this matter very seriously. We cannot give any specifics regarding the students involved in this situation due to FERPA regulations, but disciplinary actions will be taken,” Eighmy said.
Eighmy apologized to Texas State President Denise Trauth and the football team for the banners and offered support for those who felt threatened by the messages in them.
“I understand that the banners may bring up feelings for some regarding experiences with sexual assault or other threats to personal safety," Eighmy said in the statement. "Please know that we have support systems on campus to help – staff in our Counseling Services office and our Office of Student Advocacy, Violence Prevention and Empowerment are ready to assist.”
The UTSA-Texas State football rivalry was renewed last season. The universities signed a multiyear agreement to play one another and alternate homesites.