U. of California Considers Rules Against Hate Crimes

In the wake of a series of racial incidents at University of California campuses, system officials may toughen student conduct rules to specifically bar hate crimes, the Associated Press reported. Vandalism and sexual and racial harassment are already banned, but system officials may explicitly ban acts designed to terrorize groups of people. Some of those acts might be hanging a noose, burning a cross or using symbols such as swastikas in ways that could frighten and intimidate. Officials said that any policy changes would also reflect First Amendment protections.