Student Artwork Defaced at LCC Campus

Student collaboration mural “Puzzles of Belonging” defaced with hateful graffiti at Lane Community College.

By Amy L. Miller
Photo Credit: Kat Tabor 

In celebration of the brand new 2025-26 school year, a student window mural collaborative event was hosted by the Student Government Association of LCC titled “Puzzles of Belonging.” This mural was intended to invite students of all cultural and identity backgrounds to drop by the second floor of the Center Building and pick up a marker to freely share something about themselves. 

Participation in creating this mural made a space for students to share a piece of themself that made them feel like they belonged. All students carry a piece of their own puzzle, which builds the larger puzzle of the LCC student body and community as a whole.
    Within just a few days on Oct. 8, a student and editor of The Torch newspaper, Kat Tabor, an unidentified person was lingering around the mural site. After completing other tasks on campus, Tabor had a “bad feeling,” and felt the need to return to the location the next day. She discovered that the mural had been defaced with a marker. 

Religion-based hate speech and markings seemed to target transgender people and those with other gender-nonconforming identities. She immediately reported her findings, and the defacement was removed within 15 minutes by campus public safety after she made the report. The Torch has reached out to LCC Campus Public Safety for follow up on the incident though they have not yet responded.
    The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech defines hate speech as: “…any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.” 

LCC campus proudly welcomes and encourages students and staff alike of all cultural and identity backgrounds to come together in education and community with one another. Targeted, hateful speech and actions will not be tolerated. This is reflected in statements from several LCC official sources.
    The Lane Student Government Association came together to release an official statement regarding the situation. “The [SGA] at Lane Community College does not condone the defamation of student artwork, hate speech, theft or any other intolerable acts on campus. We stand firmly for respect, inclusion, and the protection of student expression.” They continued, “SGA recognizes the difference between free/hate speech and will move forward with a heightened awareness and due diligence for/during student engagement events to ensure the uplifting and showcasing of students.”

The Association continues “…The SGA remains committed to supporting all student voices and encourages active participation and engagement from the student body. As part of our efforts to welcome students back to campus, SGA presented a passive window-painting display titled “Puzzles of Belonging.” This project celebrates what makes our campus community special: the unique and diverse stories that each student contributes to the greater whole.” 

The SGA affirms further in their statement that it will continue to sponsor events and opportunities for all students to engage meaningfully.
    Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Colman “Colm” Joyce writes on behalf of the president and administration in a letter sent the day following the incident, “Dear LCC Community, I am writing… to address the defacement of student artwork that was discovered on Lane’s main campus. The artwork, created by students to celebrate identity and self-expression, was intentionally damaged. Students created the original artwork to highlight their identity and expression of self… It is incredibly upsetting to see heartfelt work being disrespected, as it not only undermines the artists’ efforts but also compromises the safe environment we strive to maintain, one that protects the integrity of student voices and ensures that no one’s identity is misrepresented or disrespected. We encourage everyone to stand in solidarity against hate and intolerance.” 

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