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Chennel Rowe’s roommate situation at the University of Hartford has quickly gone viral, and the ordeal truly takes the term “roommate from hell” to a whole new level. Chennel, who goes by Jazzy Rowe on social media, found out that her roommate, 18-year-old Brianna Brochu, had been contaminating her belongings with bodily fluids and boasting about it on a private Instagram account. Rowe took to her own Facebook to share her story and recorded a video detailing all of the harassment she endured in her first two months of school. Watch the video below for more details (WARNING: This may be upsetting for some viewers).
According to court docs, Brochu has been charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias, criminal mischief, and second-degree breach of peace after her crimes were uncovered. In Rowe’s video, she said she moved out two weeks ago “because I felt like I was unwanted in my own room.” Rowe also pointed out the racial divide between her and her roommate. “The fact that I’m black and my old roommate was white … If the roles was switched, I want to know if it would be handled the same way,” she said, claiming the University of Hartford took their time with the investigation.
Now that Rowe’s situation has been brought to light, it’s been widely covered and talked about online. It’s even initiated the hashtag #JusticeForJazzy on Twitter. “Brochu’s hatred is vile. Glad that the system is work[ing] to keep this intolerable/ sociopathic human behind bars,” one user wrote. Another added, “Why was Brochu charged only with criminal mischief and breach of the peace? Her actions might have killed Jazzy.”
The president of the university, Greg Woodward, released a statement about the scandal on Wednesday, Nov. 2. “As of this morning, Brianna Brochu is no longer a student at the University of Hartford. She will not be returning to the institution,” the statement says. “It is clear there is work to be done at our University to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and valued. The conversations that began with student groups, faculty, and staff yesterday are going to continue and involve our full community. I am dedicated to that mission and will continue to share additional information about opportunities for our path forward in meaningful dialogue and action.”
