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OSU Community To Decide If Student Charged With Hate Crime Keeps His Office

January 30th booking photo for Andrew Oswalt, Benton County Sheriff's Office.
January 30th booking photo for Andrew Oswalt, Benton County Sheriff's Office.

An Oregon State University student charged with a hate crime still holds a position in student government.  But a recall vote is underway, that ends Friday night. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

January 30th booking photo for Andrew Oswalt, Benton County Sheriff's Office.
January 30th booking photo for Andrew Oswalt, Benton County Sheriff's Office.

Andrew Oswalt is accused of placing racist stickers on the cars of activists last June. He’s also a representative of the Associated Students of OSU.  If two-thirds of student voters approve his recall, Oswalt will lose his seat.

Lauren Sluss is editor of the campus newspaper, The Barometer.  Her latest editorialasks students to act on their values…noting that just 12 percent of the student body voted last election. She sees the recall vote as more a referendum on racism on campus, noting a truck with anti-Semitic and racist signs has shown up supporting Oswalt this week.

A truck parked near the OSU campus that has displayed signs supporting Andrew Oswalt, as well as anti-Semitic and racist messages.
Credit The Daily Barometer
A truck parked near the OSU campus that has displayed signs supporting Andrew Oswalt, as well as anti-Semitic and racist messages.

“At first it was a little disheartening to see people who have very oppressive, exclusive views and values," Sluss tells KLCC. 

"To counter though, it’s been very cool to witness so many people who stand very opposed to these beliefs and will take action and let their voices be heard, and let people know who have exclusionary views that they will not be tolerated on campus.”

Oswalt is also running for re-election. He remains free on bond and has been allowed back on campus since his arraignment.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. He is a 20-year reporter who has worked at NPR, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including three Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award in 2012.