A Message from President Damphousse

Dear Bobcat Family,
 
I am following up with important information related to the Oct. 4, 2024, email from President Damphousse about an act of racial bias reported on our San Marcos campus that occurred on September 28, 2024.
 
Today our officers arrested a suspect in connection with this act. I commend our officers for their thoroughness and diligence throughout this active investigation.
 
The suspect has been charged with criminal mischief Texas Penal Code Section 28.03 (b) (4) (A) State Jail Felony. In addition to this criminal justice action, the case is also under active investigation by the TXST Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX and the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office. To maintain the integrity of this active and ongoing investigation, I am unable to provide additional details.
 
The University Police Department proudly serves an integral role in campus life as the university's main provider of safety and security for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. We remain dedicated to ensuring that every member of our Bobcat community feels safe, valued, and respected.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Chief Matthew Carmichael 
University Police Department 
 

Dear Bobcat Family:  


As your president, it’s important to reaffirm that Texas State University treats acts of racial bias and hate with zero tolerance. Such acts, against even one member of our Bobcat community, affect us all. Thus, it is vital that hate crimes involving our campus community are addressed with the utmost seriousness and with immediate action.  


After receiving the recent report of a racial slur keyed into a student’s car, our University Police Department immediately launched a comprehensive criminal investigation. The case was also referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for review. To preserve the integrity of this active investigation, I am unable to share additional details at this time, but I will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.  


This hateful act is deeply disturbing to me because it runs counter to what I know to be TXST’s core values. Our campus leaders, faculty, staff, and I remain committed to ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of every member of our university community. I have personally reached out to the victim of this attack, and I have also spoken with the president of the TXST NAACP student organization. I look forward to sharing more when the investigation is completed.    

Kelly Damphousse

President