University Of Hartford Student Expelled For Rubbing Used Tampon On Black Roommate's Bag, Licking Utensils
University Of Hartford Student Expelled For Rubbing Used Tampon On Black Roommate's Bag, Licking Utensils
Source: West Hartford, Connecticut Police

University Of Hartford Student Expelled For Rubbing Used Tampon On Black Roommate's Bag, Licking Utensils

Source: West Hartford, Connecticut Police

A University of Hartford student has been expelled for the mistreatment of her black roommate.

READ: No Hate Crime Charges Against Man Who Fatally Stabbed Richard Collins

In a report from the Hartford Courant, freshman Brianna Brochu faces a hate crime charge after admitting to police that she licked her roommate's dining room utensils and smeared bodily fluid on her backpack. The incident stems back to late August, when Brochu was roommates with fellow freshman Chennel Rowe. In a Facebook Live video uploaded Monday, Rowe recounted her experience with Brochu, saying she felt "unwanted in [her] own room" and started getting sick, including throat pain that led to her seeing a doctor.

Upon requesting a room change and moving out in mid-October, a student neighbor informed Rowe of "very concerning posts" Brochu posted on her Instagram account. One of the posts, which has since been deleted but was captured via screenshot by Rowe, details some of the harassment Brochu enacted.

"Finally did it ya girl got rid of her roommate," Rowe said, recalling Brochu's post. "After 1½ months of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions, rubbing used tampons [on] her backpack, putting her toothbrush where the sun doesn’t shine and so much more I can finally say goodbye to Jamaican Barbie."

Brochu was arrested Saturday on charges of third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. She admitted licking Rowe's plate, fork and spoon, as well as smearing her own bodily fluid on Rowe's backpack, but denied some of the other actions she claimed to do on the Instagram post. She said those statements were lies and a way to "appear funny" online.

Brochu also claimed that she was reacting to a "hostile environment" created by Rowe, who allegedly posted Snapchat videos of Brochu snoring. Rowe's video became viral online, with people voicing their support of her as well as speaking on Brochu's actions and how they could've potentially killed Rowe.

Greg Woodard, the university's president, released a statement Wednesday saying that Brochu was no longer a student.

"She will not be returning to the institution," Woodward said in a statement. "There has been an outpouring of concern for the victim of these acts from across the University and the country. In my meeting with her yesterday, I reiterated my personal commitment to ensuring she has all available personal and academic resources the University can provide."

Rowe believes that the incident would have been handled much quicker if she had been the one harassing Brochu.

"The fact that I’m black and my old roommate was white…If the roles was switched, I want to know if it would be handled the same way, right?" Rowe said during her Facebook Live video. "Because I damn well know it wouldn't."

Source: courant.com

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