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Dear AU Community,

One year ago, our community was shaken by an incident in Leonard Hall involving unauthorized entry into two residence hall rooms and an instance of sexual misconduct. The students involved experienced trauma and the community confronted issues related to sexual misconduct. After a comprehensive investigation last academic year, an AU community member was identified as posing a threat to safety connected to this incident. The individual was removed from AU’s campus at that time. AUPD’s investigation identified the individual and worked with campus partners to determine any violations of community policies and standards. The ongoing law enforcement investigation by the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and AUPD will determine if any potential further legal actions will follow. Should further activity occur in the investigation, updates will be provided.

Concurrent with the investigations, a wide-ranging community discussion ensued about the best approaches to promote campus safety, support survivors, enhance policies and practices, and address sexual violence incidents. This conversation included extensive input and ideas from students, faculty, staff, and alumni. More than 40 recommendations emerged from the community engagement, many of which have been implemented or work is currently underway to move them forward. Examples of the enhancements to date include:

• Required in-person Empower AU sessions led by peer health educators were conducted during Welcome Week. 
• Incoming students in the Empower AU sessions received a QR code sticker to place on their AU IDs, linking directly to the trauma-informed resources of AU Victim Advocacy Services. The QR code is also available to the community through the 2023–2024 calendar and student guide distributed to AU students at the university-wide Involvement Fair. The QR code will be printed directly on AU ID cards next year when new card templates are designed.

• The Division of Student Affairs and the Inclusive Excellence team are collaborating with student government and community members on next steps for the Survivors’ Bill of Rights, with the intent of sharing the document with the community this academic year.
• Nkenge Friday, our new vice president of inclusive excellence, will join us in January 2024. As part of this new role, the Office of Equity and Title IX will be further integrated into the overall inclusive excellence approach.

• A second victim services advocate is being hired, with the search currently underway.  

• All incoming graduate, professional, and law students received online sexual assault and harassment training coordinated by the Office of Equity and Title IX.
• Following the Leonard Hall renovation this summer, residence hall shower facilities now feature lockable showers.
• The Equity Case Management Team—a collaborative, cross-functional group of expert staff from the Dean of Students, the Office of Equity and Title IX and Office of General Counsel that reviews complaints and determines the course of action—is creating a better coordinated ecosystem of care, including a focus on efficient implementation of supportive measures for students seeking assistance.

• AUSG collaborated with the Office of Equity and Title IX and the Division of Student Affairs for a community forum featuring university leaders answering questions and providing insight on efforts to address and respond to sexual assault and harassment.

• The kick-off of our participation in the NASPA Culture of Respect program will officially begin in January 2024 with the 8th cohort of the program. We will be seeking representatives this fall for the companion community advisory group. 

While there is more work to be done, this important progress supports our community and our commitment to safety. We look forward to continuing these efforts and collaborating across the community to foster the safe and welcoming environment that is a priority for us all.

Sincerely,

Sarah Baldassaro
Interim Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Chief of Staff to the President

Bronté Burleigh-Jones
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer

Raymond Ou
Vice President of Student Affairs