Madison man charged with bias allegations against Asian and Arab students at University of Washington – The Badger Herald

A Madison man has been charged in connection with a discrimination incident that occurred last fall at the University of Wisconsin's Mosse Humanities Building in which several students were harassed at a student organization meeting.

According to the University of Wisconsin Police Department, 20-year-old Lukas Nowak was charged with multiple misdemeanors on Monday following the November 28, 2023, disturbance.

The incident involved Nowak and two other men entering several rooms in the Humanities building, allegedly making threats, using racist language and otherwise engaging in vulgar behavior. The suspects, who had no connection to the university, were quickly identified by the UWPD.

The charges against Nowak include one count of terroristic threats – public panic or fear, one count of disorderly conduct, use of a dangerous weapon and two additional counts of disorderly conduct. Due to the nature of the incident, all of the charges are classified as hate crimes.

According to a report on incidents of discrimination obtained by the Badger Herald, the suspects targeted members of the multicultural Sigma Psi Zeta sororityOne of the suspects threatened to kill a student they mistakenly believed to be a Saudi Arabian, making the situation even more serious.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor condemned the incidents in a statement last fall, stressing that “hate and racism have no place on our campus.” Initial investigations showed that anti-Arab and anti-Asian sentiments were expressed during the incident, which Reesor described as deeply disturbing, especially in the context of ongoing global conflicts.

The UWPD, in conjunction with the FBI and the City of Madison Police Department, conducted an investigation that resulted in the formal charges against Nowak. As part of his bail conditions, Nowak is prohibited from entering the UW-Madison campus.

Students affected by the incident continue to receive support through the Dean of Students' Office, which provides mental health and campus safety resources. The University reiterates its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The case remains under investigation and students are urged to report any suspicious activity or threats to campus safety.

Resources available to students on campus:

• Download the BadgerSAFE App for campus safety updates

• UHS 24-hour Crisis Hotline, (608) 265-5600 (Option 9)
• Students can be accompanied while walking by SAFEwalk(608) 262-5000