Official: San Jose State Failed Student in Harassment Case

The president of a California university where four White students are accused of harassing a Black student says the school failed to adequately intervene or impose sanctions.

San Jose State University President Mohammad Qayoumi told the campus in a letter on Monday that the school will soon name an independent expert to look into the case.

Among the questions he said must be answered is how the abuse of the student could have gone unchecked or undetected for weeks.

Police say the White students taunted their freshman dorm-mate with racial slurs, barricaded him in his room and placed a U-shaped bicycle lock around his neck.

The four students are currently facing misdemeanor hate-crime and battery charges.

Qayoumi’s comments came as the NAACP called on prosecutors to file felony charges against the students. Prosecutors say they are continuing their investigation.