Campus grounds at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi
A view of the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. Photo: Eterry12345567/Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Oxford, Mississippi — University of Mississippi student Alaina Kunes has reportedly withdrawn from the institution after a Ring doorbell camera video showing her and another woman making monkey-like noises and gestures outside an apartment shared by three Black students triggered widespread outrage across social media.

The incident, recorded on November 6 and later shared online by student Jakiyra Metcalf, has drawn millions of views and renewed conversations about racism, student accountability and the responsibilities of universities when discriminatory conduct occurs within their communities.

According to reporting by CBS News and The Associated Press, Kunes, 18, is no longer enrolled at Ole Miss after the incident. Kunes issued a public apology and said she intended to cooperate with the university’s investigation. The university confirmed that she was no longer a student, while reports described her departure as a withdrawal. The school has not publicly detailed any disciplinary process, citing student privacy protections.

What The Ring Camera Video Shows

The footage shows three women passing the apartment entrance. Two appear to approach the doorbell camera, making monkey-like sounds and gestures, including chest-beating movements. The apartment is shared by three Black University of Mississippi students: Metcalf, Kaiyden Caldwell and Victoria Johnson.

The imagery quickly attracted criticism because comparing Black people to monkeys has a long and deeply racist history. The students said the footage was hurtful and described the experience of seeing the behaviour outside their home as disturbing.

In interviews reported by CBS News and the AP, the students said they went outside to confront the women after discovering the footage. They said Kunes apologised, while the second woman allegedly continued making gestures after the apology began. The second woman has not been publicly identified in the reports reviewed for this article.

The Lyceum building on the University of Mississippi campus
The Lyceum, a landmark building on the University of Mississippi campus. Photo: Cturk26/Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Kunes Issues Public Apology

In a statement released on November 10, Kunes apologised to the students and the wider Ole Miss community, describing her actions as “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” She said she had not met the residents before the incident and was unaware of their race at the time.

Kunes said she had apologised directly to the women and intended to cooperate fully with the university’s investigation. She also said that she and her family had faced harassment and death threats following the video’s circulation and requested privacy for her family.

The apology has not erased the impact described by the residents. Caldwell said that receiving an apology did not change what happened, while Metcalf expressed mixed feelings. The students’ accounts underline the difference between a public apology and the longer process of rebuilding trust after an incident that has caused personal harm.

University Condemns Conduct And Investigates

The University of Mississippi condemned the behaviour as offensive, hurtful and unacceptable, saying it conflicted with the institution’s values. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead said university staff had contacted the students affected to offer support, listen to their concerns and connect them with available resources.

The university said the matter was being investigated by the appropriate offices. It has also pointed to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which limits the disclosure of student records and details of potential disciplinary action.

That privacy restriction means the public may not receive a full account of any internal proceedings. It also makes it important to distinguish between what the university has confirmed — that Kunes is no longer a student — and details about the circumstances of her departure that have not been officially disclosed.

A Wider Conversation About Racism And Online Accountability

The controversy has extended beyond the immediate campus community, with social media users debating the meaning of the gestures, the apology, university discipline and the consequences of viral exposure. While public criticism can draw attention to conduct that might otherwise go unaddressed, online harassment, threats and the circulation of unverified personal information can create additional harm and undermine fair accountability.

The University of Mississippi also carries a significant history in the struggle over racial integration in the United States. In 1962, James Meredith became the first Black student to enrol at the institution after a federal court battle. His admission was met with violent resistance, including a campus riot that left two people dead. That history has added to the sensitivity surrounding the latest incident.

A similar controversy emerged at Ole Miss in 2024, when a white counterprotester was filmed making monkey-like gestures towards a Black student during a campus demonstration. The recurrence of such incidents has intensified calls for universities to address racist conduct through clear policies, meaningful education and consistent enforcement.

The Students Say The Impact Remains

Metcalf, Caldwell and Johnson have spoken publicly about the emotional effect of the incident. They have indicated that they intend to continue their studies at Ole Miss, while leaving decisions about the university’s investigation to the institution.

Their response has shifted attention away from the viral clip alone and towards the people who experienced the incident. For the students, the central issue is not simply how widely the footage has circulated, but the disrespect and distress they say it brought into their living environment.

What Happens Next?

With Kunes no longer enrolled and the university’s investigation under way, questions remain about the status of the other woman seen making gestures, the outcome of the school’s review and what measures may be introduced to strengthen student safety and inclusion.

The episode is also a reminder that viral attention is not a substitute for a careful investigation. Accountability should be based on verified evidence and fair procedures, while the students who say they were targeted deserve support and the opportunity to continue their education without intimidation.

Sources And Further Reading