A message from Tony Chambers Vice President for Student Development Dear Community Members: Over the past week, there have been increasing reports of hateful acts on college and university campuses across the country. Covert micro-aggressions and overt macro- aggressions appear to have taken on new fervor in higher education since our national election. To be clear, these types of acts have been on the rise for many years, however the frequency, boldness, and severity with which hateful acts have been occurring recently has, for many, signaled a new era of intolerance, fear and mistrust in higher education, as well as throughout our nation. Edgewood College is not immune from such matters. Last weekend our campus was visited by an act of cowardly hatred. One of our students initiated a process by which students (...and others) could express their feelings about the election outcome by writing their feelings on sticky notes and placing them on a table located in Wingra Commons. Many intense emotions were shared on the sticky notes representing various perspectives. From a review of the responses, this attempt at providing an avenue for sharing seemed to be a success. Unfortunately, in a targeted act of intimidation and cowardice this past weekend, someone chose to post a sticky note message on the inside window of the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion (OSDI) in Predolin Hall. A great deal of fear, sadness, and anger among students, faculty, and staff resulted—especially for thoseNe ee eee sadness, and anger among students, faculty, and staff resulted—especially for those that gather in the OSDI space. The message was hateful and harmful toward members of our community. It violated every value that this institution considers to be at its core. Agroup of cross-functional college staff representing campus security, student conduct, human resources, Title IX enforcement, and diversity and inclusion measures convened Tuesday morning to discuss how to address the hateful message. The group determined that the message constituted a Hate Crime, based on guidelines from the Jeanne Clery Act and state law, In accordance with the policies and procedures set forth in the Edgewood College Student Code of Conduct, this incident has been reported to the Madison Police Department and is currently being investigated as a Hate Crime. Further, the crime will be reported through our institution's Clery Act reporting obligation and is also being investigated through the College's Student Conduct Process. We are asking anyone who may have information about this or any other incident to contact one of the following campus offices: * Campus Security — Michael Metcalf (608) 663-3285, mmetcalf@edgewood.edu Office of the Dean of Students— Missy Mael (608) 663-3205, mmael@edgewood.edu © Office of Diversity and Inclusion— Tony Garcia (608) 663- 3274 tgarcia@edgewood.edu Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion— Glenna Scholle-Malone (608) 663- 2250 gschollemalone(@edgewood.edu Title IX Officer- Pam LaValliere (608) 663-4304, plavalliere@edgewood.edu® Office of Diversity and Inclusion— Tony Garcia (605) 663- 3274 tgarcia@edgewood.edu © Offiee of Student Diversity and Inclusion— Glenna Scholle-Malone (608) 663- 2250 gschollemalone@edgewood.edu * Title IX Officer— Pam LaValliere (608) 663-4304, plavalliere@edgewood.edu * Report an Incident: http://diversity.edgewood.edu/report-an-incident Additionally, our Personal Counseling Services office can assist any student who needs support in processing their emotions or developing coping strategies. Contact them at (608) 663-2281 or in DeRicci 206. Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-538-3546 or visiting www.cignabehavioral.com/cgi. Let me be clear: These types of acts will not be tolerated at Edgewood College. They are inexcusable, and those who have been identified as perpetrators of such acts have no place in our community. Any attempt to discriminate, instill fear in or intimidate our students, faculty or staff will result in serious and swift consequences both from the Madison Police and Edgewood College. Our commitment is to have a safe and caring campus community for all students, faculty, and staff that support optimal learning and development! In these times of social and emotional stress, please choose to show compassion for all members of our community, regardless of background or political leaning. Tony Chambers Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students