New Jersey University Investigates Racist Email From Housing Director's Account

RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A private Roman Catholic university in New Jersey is investigating whether its housing director's email account was compromised after students received an email under her name that disparaged black students.

The email from Laura Pierotti's account to students, faculty and staff at Felician University said in part that black students had bad attitudes, and create drug problems in dorms, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

University President Anne Prisco said in an email to the university that Pierotti's account appears to have been compromised by someone who was trying to "disparage her and the university.'' 

"We have out IT folks, we have all the things in place to do and IT trace," Prisco said.

Prisco told the newspaper that Pierotti only had access to a student email distribution list and that the email contained grammatical errors and little punctuation. Some say these are indications that the email may not have come from Pierotti.

Prisco urged students not to rush to judgment in condemning Pierotti. However, one student told Haskell she was skeptical.

"It came from her email," the female student, who declined to give her name, said. "They're saying it's a hack, but just to make sure she should be suspended."

Officials said no action will be taken until the investigation is completed.

Pierotti didn't respond to requests seeking comment.

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