We, the Penn State community, demand President Eric Barron, incoming President Neeli Bendapudi, Provost Nick Jones, and Dean Clarence Lang expel a violent misogynist, homophobic, white supremacist named Avi Rachlin for violating the student code of conduct and creating a dangerous environment on campus.
Rachlin's speech and actions, such as publicly stating his wish to "shoot up a school," calling people the N word, physically harming students and faculty, sending pornographic images to minors, and other disturbing instances detailed below, are deeply alarming. Administration must not excuse this kind of behavior like they have done in the past.
Just as Penn State ignored Sandusky's abusive actions, they're now excusing Rachlin's dangerous behavior. PSU administration continues to sponsor those who promote sexual violence and white supremacy. Barron, Bendapudi, Jones, and Lang claim to advocate for diversity and inclusion. Yet they have allowed Rachlin, who advocates for gun violence, rape, and white supremacy, to remain on campus.
Dean Clarence Lang and Provost Nick Jones have supported Rachlin by deciding to initiate the firing process against a professor who prevented Rachlin from further harming people at a campus rally in August of 2021. We condemn their decision. We demand Rachlin be expelled and the professor reinstated.
If administration does not honor our demand to expel Rachlin, it's up to the students and people of Penn State to take matters into our own hands. We will take these demands to the streets and create a safer campus ourselves.
We encourage all supportive individuals and especially PSU student organizations to state your support publicly for these demands, sign and share this petition, and contact PSU administrators.
Contact Penn State's Office of Student Conduct (StudentConduct@psu.edu, 814–863–0342) to demand Rachlin be expelled.
Contact Provost Nick Jones (provost@psu.edu) and Dean Clarence Lang (celang@psu.edu, 814- 865-7691) to demand Rachlin be removed from Penn State.
Join students organizing on campus to defend against racists, rapists, and state repression. Look for email updates on how to get involved.
Below are Rachlin's violations of PSU's Code of Conduct.
EXTREME TRIGGER WARNING: Anti-Black racism, anti-LBGTQ hate speech, language of sexual violence.
1. Using his public reddit handle "Avsterbone," Rachlin stated that he wishes to "shoot up a school." After this, he menaced a pro-vaccine campus rally using a sign with an image of white supremacist Alex Jones pointing a pistol at viewers with the message, "Shut the Fuck up Liberals." Rachlin has said he owns a firearm and is currently seeking to obtain a conceal and carry permit. NJ police have denied him this permit because of his long history of domestic harassment and dangerous behavior.
2. Rachlin publicly advocates for the rape of women. He said that women who don't dress conservatively deserve to be raped. He said that that if legal, he would rape women, disgustingly claiming that when the "male wants to breed, it breeds."
3. Rachlin was ejected from an online gamer community for sending pornographic images to a minor. Rachlin admitted to doing this.
4. Rachlin publicly admitted that he has masturbated during online courses on three occasions. He also admitted to engaging in phone sex without the consent of those with whom he is speaking. He has recorded a video of himself sexually harassing employees of a Wendy's restaurant.
5. Rachlin has publicly used racist slurs. He has called people of African descent the n-word both on reddit and in public videos. He has said, "whites must remain dominant."
6. Rachlin publicly expressed hatred of LBGTQ+ students. Rachlin volunteered for a "Pray the Gay Away" event on PSU campus in October of 2021 that featured a fascist speaker who advocated for conversion therapy.
7. Rachlin disrupted a faculty-student pro-vaccine campus rally in August of 2021 where he assaulted professors and students. Witnesses describe Rachlin striking a professor, pushing students, and spitting in the faces of rally attendees. University police witnessed Rachlin committing this physical harm but did nothing to hold him accountable.
To:
Clarence Lang and Nick Jones
From:
[Your Name]
We, the Penn State community, demand President Eric Barron, incoming President Neeli Bendapudi, Provost Nick Jones, and Dean Clarence Lang expel a violent misogynist, homophobic, white supremacist named Avi Rachlin for violating the student code of conduct and creating a dangerous environment on campus.
Rachlin's speech and actions, such as publicly stating his wish to "shoot up a school," calling people the N word, physically harming students and faculty, sending pornographic images to minors, and other disturbing instances detailed below, are deeply alarming. Administration must not excuse this kind of behavior like they have done in the past.
Just as Penn State ignored Sandusky's abusive actions, they're now excusing Rachlin's dangerous behavior. PSU administration continues to sponsor those who promote sexual violence and white supremacy. Barron, Bendapudi, Jones, and Lang claim to advocate for diversity and inclusion. Yet they have allowed Rachlin, who advocates for gun violence, rape, and white supremacy, to remain on campus.
Dean Clarence Lang and Provost Nick Jones have supported Rachlin by deciding to initiate the firing process against a professor who prevented Rachlin from further harming people at a campus rally in August of 2021. We condemn their decision. We demand Rachlin be expelled and the professor reinstated.
If administration does not honor our demand to expel Rachlin, it's up to the students and people of Penn State to take matters into our own hands. We will take these demands to the streets and create a safer campus ourselves.
