Obama Effigy Hung From Ore. Campus Tree

Sept. 25, 2008 — -- Administrators at an Oregon college are trying to get to the bottom of who hung a cardboard effigy of Barack Obama from a campus tree Tuesday. The incident at George Fox University appeared to be in protest of a scholarship program geared toward minorities.

A George Fox University employee discovered the life-size cutout of the Democratic presidential candidate hanging from a campus tree with a fishing line around its neck. Posted on the cardboard effigy was a sign that read "Act Six Reject." Act Six is a program that promotes campus diversity and urban leadership. It annually awards full scholarships to up to 10 students most of whom -- but not all -- are minorities.

Robin Baker, the school's president, said he was "shocked, dismayed and disturbed" by the incident.

"I'm upset because it's an assault to kids I love, and I'm upset because it's an attack on the very commitment I have, to try to build a place that will truly educate students in a way that will help them see the world differently," he said.

Baker strongly condemned the act during an emotional school assembly Wednesday that drew 1,200 people. Baker also addressed the 17 Act Six students that attend George Fox Tuesday night after the incident. Many were unaware of what had happened before the meeting, because the cutout was promptly removed; only a few students saw it, according to the college.

Baker said the Act Six students urged him and the school to be open about the incident and tackle it head on.

University officials do not know who hung the cutout but have urged the community to come forward with any information. Officials turned the incident over to Newberg, Ore., police, but police did not find the act to be criminal.

"We are not able to establish this as a crime. It is an expression of free speech," said Sgt. Tim Weaver of the Newberg police. Weaver said police notified the Secret Service and the FBI, but the department cannot do much more. A Portland FBI official said the bureau was looking into the matter but would not say whether it would launch a formal investigation.