Muhlenberg College (the “College”) is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment. The College is committed to creating and maintaining a respectful and welcoming atmosphere for all members of our community, including students, faculty, and staff. In alignment with these principles and commitments, the College has implemented this Policy to address Hate Symbols within our campus community. This Policy is designed to reinforce our dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment that upholds the values of diversity, inclusion, and equity. By restricting the presence of Hate Symbols, we aim to ensure that all members of the Muhlenberg College community can engage in learning, living, and working without fear of discrimination or intimidation.

The College strictly prohibits the use, exhibition or display of “Hate Symbols” on campus or during College-related events unless they are employed in the context of educational and academic instruction directly tied to curricular or co-curricular learning outcomes.[¹] In this context, Hate Symbols encompass any symbols, images or objects that propagate hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or intimidation. Examples of Hate Symbols include, but are not limited to, nooses, burning crosses, swastikas, Confederate flags and any other symbol, image or object that is associated with hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or intimidation.

¹For example, in a course discussing anti-Blackness, colonialism, and the transatlantic slave trade, students may encounter racist, anti-Black images in historical documents and photography (e.g., many newspapers owned by white management often circulated pro-slavery propaganda). Similarly, in a Holocaust Studies course, students may encounter swastikas in historical documents, photography, and film footage. In both cases, the imagery would be contextualized by the professor and used to illuminate the horrors of anti-Black racism, antisemitism, and other forms of identity-based hatred.
Last Revised: 01/12/2024