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Jewish Georgia College students react to swastika drawings on dorm room doors

President Steve Dorman released a statement condemning the graffiti. The University says their Public Safety department is investigating the vandalism

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — "It doesn't take a lot to be nice to someone, but it takes a lot of time and energy to go out of your way to be hateful towards another group of people," Georgia College Sophomore Abbie Frankel said.

She and Madeline Olliff are members of Georgia's College's Jewish student organization Hillel.

Swastika drawings reported on dorm room doors prompted emotional reactions for both students.

"Immediate fear," Olliff said.

"I have some close family that went through the Holocaust, so to me, it hits kind of close to home, and it's a threatening and hateful image that does instill fear in a lot of our students," Frankel said.

The University and President Steve Dorman released a statement saying their Public Safety Department is investigating the graffiti.

Dorman said he strongly condemns these despicable acts and emphasized Georgia College's mission to be a safe and inclusive campus for all.

"I'm really proud that Dr. Dorman released a statement so quickly and full on addressing what it truly was and saying this is not who we are this is not what Georgia College is about," Olliff said.

Georgia College's statement also included a nearby resident's report of the words "White Power" written in dust on a vehicle off campus.

There have been racially-charged messages and acts reported at other colleges across the nation.

"Something very similar has happened at UGA in the past couple of weeks, it's just really sad to hear that it's such a prevalent thing on college campuses," Frankel said.

Grady Newsource, The University of Georgia's student run news outlet, reported last week that a total of 18 doors had swastika drawings on them.

"To know that there is just blatant anti-Semitism here is just so disappointing and I hope that this is a one time event and it's not going to continue," Olliff said.

Similar messages and acts were reported at George Washington University, Arizona State University and Syracuse University.

RELATED: Georgia College president condemns ‘despicable act’ of swastikas drawn on dorm room doors

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