University official appologizes for comment in crime case

The chief spokesperson for the University of Iowa has apologized for a comment she made during a Thursday news conference.The news conference announced the arrest of a suspect in the string of death threats which targeted campus minorities. The person charged is a black woman student. Vice President for University Relations Ann Rhodes was asked if the suspect’s race & sex were a surprise and she gave this response:”I figured it was gonna’ be a white guy between the ages of 25 and 55 because they’re the root of most evil, but what do I know?” Rhodes’ apology says it was an “inappropriate joke about..a sensitive issue.” Quoting — “It was a poor attempt at humor. I certainly do not believe that because it just reinforces the kinds of stereotypes we have been working to dispel.”