Drake University officials: Four of the five racist notes found on campus were hoaxes

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An 18-year-old Drake University student is responsible for four of five racist notes found in residence halls and now faces criminal charges, school officials said.

The student admitted to writing one of the notes, officials said. She also reported receiving at least one of the notes, officials said.

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A Drake spokesman said officials are confident the four notes reported by the female student were hoaxes. A fifth note, received by a different student in early November, is not connected to the other four notes, now considered copycats, officials said.

The student responsible for four of the notes faces harassment charges, said Sgt. Paul Parizek, Des Moines police spokesman.

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On Nov. 14, about 3,000 students and others held a rally at Drake to celebrate diversity and call for unity among students. At the rally, a student speaker said she felt her life was in danger at Drake. Two days after the rally, students painted Painted Street black. Traditionally, student groups cover the street with colorful paintings in celebration of the Drake Relays.

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