UNCG denounces 'Whites Only' water fountain signs on campus

GREENSBORO — “Coloreds Only” and “Whites Only” signs found at UNCG water fountains harkened back to the Jim Crow South and were quickly denounced in a statement by university officials this week.

But not before a photo had been posted and widely spread on social media.

“Here they go. here they go. they are already starting mess,” one person posted on Wednesday to X, formerly Twitter, with the labeling @hbcushaderoom.

“We’re literally no longer safe at our school,” read another post.

Other comments begged students to be safe.

Officials were able to track down the source of the photos, which came amid a contentious presidential election. Across the country, some people, including college students, have been reposting messages they’ve received about an upcoming roundup of slaves.

UNCG could not confirm that anyone saw the staged fountains in person, said Myla Edmond, interim vice chancellor for strategic communications.

Edmond said that while the university is continuing to monitor the situation, there will be no further comment beyond the university’s X post: “Upon investigation, we’ve learned that a student staged this photo and posted it on social media to encourage their friends to vote and not create a threatening or hostile environment.”

Edmond said the student was not trying to create a panic on campus and feels bad about the incident. UNCG’s posted response went on to say that UNCG is offering resources for those who needed extra support, and that the Student Affairs office is working with those involved.

“We understand that these photos caused emotional harm,” the post read.

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