Please read this message from Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, regarding available Elon resources to support members of the community, promote respectful dialogue and facilitate civic engagement.
Dear members of the Elon community,
In light of the reports of harassment, intimidation and protests across the country during the past several days following the election, I am writing with some information and thoughts about the impact on the Elon community. A vibrant intellectual climate requires that we practice civility and a willingness to work through the deep divisions within our society. We are called to listen carefully and treat each other with kindness and respect, values that have long been a hallmark of our university.
For many years, we have been building our capacity to respond to acts of bias, create support systems, and expand safety and security to protect our community. We have also expanded academic and civic engagement programs to provide additional opportunities to be in dialogue with and learn from each other. Please read the details below and become knowledgeable about the many resources that Elon has to offer.
As we prepare for the conclusion of a busy fall semester, I hope you enjoy a restful and refreshing Thanksgiving break with your loved ones and friends.
Smith Jackson
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
RESOURCES
Inclusion and diversity
During the past week, we have seen many members of the community reach out to campus offices and organizations as the best source of support. These include the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life and its related student groups; the CREDE (Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education); the Center for Access and Success; the Gender and LGBTQIA Center; and El Centro de Español. These thriving identity and faith groups make us stronger and affirm the values of our inclusive community.
Bias response
Elon has a strong Honor Code and does not tolerate bias, discrimination, harassment or hate. There is an extensive bias response system in place, allowing those who are victims, or who witness such incidents, to make a report. Process advocates are trained to work with and support students, faculty or staff who experience bias incidents. Victims may also file a confidential report. Please see this website for details on Elon’s bias response resources: https://www.elon.edu/e/campus-life/inclusion-diversity/bias-response/index.html
Counseling services
Elon Counseling Services includes seven staff members. Individual counseling sessions are offered as well as referral services and consultation with those who are concerned about the welfare of a student. Counseling Services information for students is at: https://www.elon.edu/e-web/students/counseling_services/. Information for faculty and staff is at: http://www.elon.edu/e-web/bft/hr/workLife.xhtml
Campus safety and security
Elon’s 42-member Department of Campus Safety and Police includes sworn police officers and security officers who provide 24-hour service and protection every day of the year. Recently we have added additional staff to support growth of our community policing model, with north and south campus foot patrol districts, bike patrols, satellite neighborhood offices in Danieley Center and Belk Library and staffed guard houses on Haggard Avenue and North O’Kelly Avenue. We require extensive training of our police and security personnel so they are fair and impartial, meeting the highest professional standards in such work as use of force, pursuits, bias incident response, and cases of sexual assault or harassment. One-third of the force are people of color and 21 percent are female.
Since 2013 uniformed officers have worn body cameras, the patrol cars have dash cameras, and we have deployed across campus a network of more than 600 security cameras and 36 blue light emergency phones. Campus lighting has been substantially upgraded during the past two years.
Civic engagement
Elon offers three programs that promote campus dialogue on significant issues. They include Community Connections, Deliberative Dialogues and Sustained Dialogues. The first Community Connections of the year is November 15 at 7 p.m. in McKinnon Hall on the topic of Freedom of Expression Within Society and in the Media. The Kernodle Center’s Deliberative Dialogue this spring will focus on election-relevant issues. Several courses in winter and spring terms will address issues made more prominent during the election.