An investigation into a noose found on a construction site at the Oregon Health and Sciences University's main campus in November has been closed. No one was found responsible for the placement of the racist symbol.
A noose is a rope tied in a loop and a reminder of America’s history of lynching black people in the South after the Civil War.
The noose was found hanging on a construction cone in a secure area of the Marquam Hill campus near the research buildings. University police reviewed footage from cameras in the surrounding area and interviewed 29 employees with access to the area. The university said they asked black employees if they had received previous harassment or discrimination in the work environment for possible leads in the investigation.
OHSU has released a statement condemning the act and has recommended cultural awareness training and unconscious bias training for departments near the site.
The university, which also operates a hospital in Southwest Portland, said it’s reviewing security features to see if any improvements can be made.
In October a noose was found at a Portland Public elementary school. An employee of Chapman Elementary School in Northwest found what police describe as a "perceived noose" in a secure maintenance area. That incident was also deemed inconclusive.