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UPDATED: Viral YouTube video called "repugnant" by UCLA administration
[UPDATED at 10:55 p.m.:
Read the Daily Bruin's full story here. The story can be found in papers available on stands Tuesday morning.]
[UPDATED at 3:20 p.m.:
The university has confirmed that the person in the video "Asians in the Library" is Alexandra Wallace, a student at UCLA, said Robert Naples, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.
Naples called the video "beyond distasteful," saying that her comments in no way represent the views of the UCLA as a community.
Naples said he personally received more than 100 e-mails of complaint from individuals all over the country, primarily from people affiliated with UCLA.
The university has yet to get in contact with Wallace, but hopes to meet with her as soon as possible to determine the appropriate response, Naples said.
"We'll be taking a look at the language that she uses in the video to see if it violates any codes under the student code, perhaps regarding harassment," Naples said.
However, the student code in no way usurps the authority of the First Amendment, Naples said.
A Facebook user under the name "Alexandra Wallace" posted an apology on Chancellor Gene Block's Facebook page on Sunday night. Wallace denied that she wrote the posts, stating that she currently does not have a Facebook account.
The original video was taken down, but other copies of the video have been posted under different accounts. Within three days, the video has provoked a tremendous response from the community. Hundreds of comments have been posted on Block's Facebook page. Numerous videos have been posted on YouTube in response to her original video.]
[UPDATED at 2:46 p.m.:
Alexandra Wallace released the following statement to the Daily Bruin: "Clearly the original video posted by me was inappropriate. I cannot explain what possessed me to approach the subject as I did, and if I could undo it, I would. I'd like to offer my apology to the entire UCLA campus. For those who cannot find it within them to accept my apology, I understand."
Block released an e-mail to students on Monday afternoon, explaining that the opinions expressed in the video do not represent the opinions of the UCLA community.
"I am appalled by the thoughtless and hurtful comments of a UCLA student posted on YouTube," said Block's statement. "I believe that speech that expresses intolerance toward any group of people on the basis of race or gender, or sexual, religious or cultural identity is indefensible and has no place at UCLA."]
Correction: The original version of the video was posted Friday.
A university spokesman called a viral YouTube video, titled "Asians in the Library," "repugnant."
The nearly 3-minute video shows a woman who claims to be a UCLA student making disparaging comments about Asian students.
[ The original version of this post said: The university has yet to determine whether the woman in the video is a UCLA student, said university spokesman Phil Hampton. ] He added that the university is also looking into how the original video was posted.
"The comments on there are contrary to the values the university believes in," Hampton said.
The original video was posted Friday afternoon and has since been removed. Various copies have appeared on YouTube and other websites. Postings of the video say the speaker is a UCLA student named Alexandra Wallace. A number in the university directory listed under Alexandra Wallace was disconnected as of Sunday night.
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