Press Releases

Violent Incident Late Tuesday Night/Early Wednesday Morning
Boulder police investigating incident as potential hate crime

BOULDER, Colo. (February 21, 2007)—Last night, a Naropa University student was assaulted and beaten by two white males.

Boulder police are investigating this crime as a potential hate crime.

The victim believes that she was targeted because of her sexual orientation. Naropa University fully supports the student at this time and is taking measures to ensure her well being and safety.

Naropa University is horrified and saddened that this has occurred.

We strongly condemn the act and hold in our hearts all other people who are impacted by crimes like these and who may feel especially vulnerable at this point.

As a member of the Boulder community, Naropa University calls upon the City of Boulder to respond with urgency to this incident.

We request members of the press to respect the privacy of the victim.

Suzanne Benally, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Senior Diversity Officer (303) 546-3525 or sbenally@naropa.edu

Message from the President: Recent Attack on Naropa Student

Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Naropa University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian liberal arts institution dedicated to advancing contemplative education. This approach to learning integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. The university comprises a four-year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental leadership, psychology and religious studies.

###