Police Investigating Assault at Simon's Rock; College Cancels Classes

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon’s Rock has canceled classes for the week as it deals with an assault on a student and the appearance of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti.

 

Police are investigating an assault that occurred on Friday at 2 p.m. on a wooded area of the campus. The victim was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and treated for minor injuries and released, according to Great Barrington Police and district attorney's office. 

 

The Berkshire Edge reports that the college community was apprised by email that "a student of color was physically assaulted on the Simon's Rock campus by an as yet unidentified assailant."

 

The email states that the decision was made by the senior college officials along with the Black Student Union and faculty. Instructors will be available on campus during their regularly scheduled classes and office hours. 

 

Bard College is a top-ranked private liberal arts college with a small enrollment of about 400. 

 

The assault is being investigated by local and state police units and the college's Campus Safety Office.