On Thursday, a noose was found at the workstation of two Michigan Medicine employees.
In a June 21 email to employees, Marschall Runge, executive vice president of medical affairs and Michigan Medicine CEO, said the act is currently under investigation by security and the Ann Arbor Police Department. The email does not specify the building at which the act occurred.
“We have taken immediate action to have this investigated as both an act of discrimination and a criminal act of ethnic intimidation,” Runge wrote. “This act of hate violates all of the values that we hold dear and will not be tolerated.”
Calling the noose a symbol of hate, Runge asked colleagues to contact the Division of Public Safety and Security or Compliance with any information regarding the act.
Runge said Human Resources, the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion will provide support to the employees involved and to anyone needing assistance.
“This incident impacts our entire community, and we stand strong as we make it clear to all that this organization — its leaders, faculty, staff and learners — fiercely value and defend equality, inclusiveness, respect and dignity for all, and the elimination of discrimination,” Runge said.