A reported incident of public Zoom bombing occurred during Tuesday’s (Feb. 27) Faculty Senate meeting, where a racial slur was used. University leaders denounce this act of hatred and harassment, and affirm Penn State's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment free of bias and discrimination. Zoom-bombing is a type of online harassment where a stranger hijacks a video conference that is available via public link to wreak havoc, such as use of offensive or threatening language. For information on preventing such activities, visit this informational article from Penn State IT.

The incident has been reported to University Police and Public Safety, who will begin an investigation and review the evidence that meeting hosts and other witnesses may be able to preserve. Investigators also consult with Penn State’s Office of Information Security (OIS) for assistance to gather additional evidence that could help identify suspects.