Former University of Kentucky Student Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison for Racially Charged Assault

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A former student of the University of Kentucky, Sophia Rosing, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges stemming from an incident in which she assaulted a student desk clerk while using racial slurs. The altercation occurred inside Boyd Hall, a dormitory on the university’s campus.

The incident unfolded in 2022 and became widely publicized after a video surfaced, showing Rosing, who is white, physically attacking a Black desk worker while heavily intoxicated. This disturbing footage prompted significant outrage both within the university community and beyond. Following her arrest on the night of the incident, Rosing was banned from the university campus and later withdrew from school, making her ineligible for future enrollment.

During the attack, Rosing also assaulted a responding police officer, contributing to the seriousness of the charges against her. She pleaded guilty to four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and public intoxication. As part of her sentence, she is required to complete 100 hours of community service.

The incident had further repercussions, including a harassing phone call made to Boyd Hall shortly after the video went viral. The call contained repeated racial slurs and was traced back to an out-of-state number, according to university spokesperson Jay Blanton.

In the wake of the attack, UK students rallied in support of the victim, expressing their commitment to combating racism on campus. University President Eli Capiluto publicly condemned Rosing’s behavior, stating, “We condemn this behavior and will not tolerate it under any circumstance. The safety and well-being of our community has been — and will continue to be — our top priority.”

Rosing’s case serves as a reminder of ongoing issues surrounding racism and racial violence within educational institutions, prompting discussions on how to ensure safety and equity in academic environments.