Recent campus vandalism sparks mixed reactions among students; UPD responds

By Jissela Cabrera 

News Reporter 

SAN MARCOS – Texas State students and University Police Department (UPD) are responding to recent acts of vandalism on campus, which have sparked a range of reactions.  

On the morning of Thursday, March 20th, President Damphousse condemned the messages spray-painted on campus buildings as “hateful” and described the acts as criminal vandalism. He also said that he had instructed UPD to launch a full investigation into the incidents that occurred the previous night. 

UPD issued a statement reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering a safe and respectful campus environment. The department emphasized that acts of vandalism are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. UPD also noted that their investigation is underway, with the review of security footage from the affected areas already in progress.  

No further updates have been provided at this time. 

The vandalism involved messages related to the ongoing Palestine-Isreal conflict and immigration policy. Rinah Milter and Jadyn Hymowitz, members of the Jewish Bobcats organization, voiced that the Jewish community has been put in the spotlight and should be seen as distinct from government actions.  

“A lot of people want to think a certain way about the government and the people [of Isreal], but they have to remember that they are two different entities,” said Hymowitz. “Just like how the American people are not the American government, we can have criticism towards the American government and realize that it doesn’t represent them as a whole.” 

Milter and Hymowitz said that certain symbols painted on the walls were particularly disturbing because of their association with violence. 

“When you know the history, and see these symbols and phrases, it is honestly crazy and shocking to see. Not only in 2025, but on a college campus too,” said Milter. 

They said that the upside-down red triangle is a symbol for Hamas recognizing Israelis and attacking them.

Although, this symbol is controversial as it is used by advocates for a ceasefire in Palestine.

“So, when you are protesting and asking for a ceasefire and putting symbols like that, it’s a call for violence. It is on the total opposite of that spectrum and doesn’t make any sense,” said Hymowitz.  

Milter and Hymowitz emphasized the importance of peace and understanding, encouraging others to hear the differences between the actions of the Israeli government and the faith of Judaism. 

They also highlight the importance of staying connected within a supportive community, adding that the Jewish Bobcats are available for those seeking for someone to talk to or a safe space.  

Meanwhile, Texas State’s Youth Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) organization has expressed that they stand with the protesters who employed graffiti as a form of protest that calls attention to these urgent issues.  

YDSA asserts that universities have long been places for social movements and that students have always been at the forefront of the fight for justice.  

Allen Dominguez, a junior philosophy major, is the co-president for  YDSA and expressed his support for the migrant justice and Palestine solidarity movements. Dominguez also disagreed with Damphousse’s response calling the messages “hateful”.  

“It is very interesting that this demonstration was characterized as hateful, considering that after the election, nonstudents who demonstrated posters calling women property and supporting misogyny were protected by police escort and were not described as hateful,” said Dominguez. “Meanwhile, the message that was calling for anti-genocide was hateful and there’s a hunt for these people.” 

Dominguez is referencing an incident that took place after last year’s election, involving two individuals who displayed posters containing offensive language targeting women and the LGBTQIA community. In a statement issued at the time, Damphousse condemned the demonstration, describing it as “disgusting.” 

Dominguez stressed that Texas State University is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and emphasized the importance of ensuring the protection of international students, saying that they are currently not receiving the protection they deserve. 

“Students have seen ICE agents around campus, and we know of international students who have been detained or threatened by ICE,” said Dominguez. “I think it is unjustifiable that our university president who is supposed to represent this institution can’t stand up for his constituents when the time calls upon him.”  

Dominguez also defended spray painting as a harmless and peaceful form of protest. He argued that it effectively garnered the attention necessary to raise awareness about the issue.  

“I think the spray paint that washed away after a day was far less harmful than other acts of protest,” Dominguez said.“Yet, it created more attention to the student body than if they were to see a news story about the 830 Palestinians killed in Gaza in one day. No one would have batted an eye to that news story, but the spray paint was flashed upon us and was seen and recognized,” said Dominguez.  

To learn more about the Texas State Jewish Bobcats, visit their Instagram @jewishbobcatstxst 

To learn more about YDSA, visit https://y.dsausa.org  

To learn more about the Texas State YDSA chapter, visit their Instagram @txstydsa