UNC students are back on campus and classes are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Chancellor Carol Folt issued a message to the campus community, as she typically does to welcome students back. But Tuesday’s message focused on one topic in particular, sexual harassment.
“As we begin 2018,” Folt wrote, “we will continue to address many priorities and none is more important than the safety of our campus community.”
Sexual harassment and assault has been a major storyline in recent months as the #MeToo movement brought countless accounts of sexual misconduct to the forefront of the conversation. The conversation has led to prominent male business leaders, news anchors and even politicians being ousted from or resigning their respective positions.
“The #MeToo movement has started a powerful and important dialogue in our nation and around the world,” Folt wrote, “and it’s helping inspire a transformative and positive change in our society.”
Folt wrote that it was important for the campus to be more than being a part of the conversation, “but doing all we can to engage and create positive change right here. This is more than a movement; it’s about creating a culture where all of us feel free to pursue our passions and dreams without fear of harassment.”
The #MeToo campaign has led to similar efforts, including at the recently held Golden Globe awards, where many members of the acting community wore all black to show solidarity against sexual harassment.
Folt wrote that the Chapel Hill campus would be taking a “fresh and critical” look at university policies and procedures to “make sure we are doing everything we can to create an inclusive and respectful culture at Carolina.” That review will include “evaluating and enhancing our training programs.”
The university adopted a new sexual assault policy in 2014. That policy mandated a training course in sexual harassment and sexual violence for all students, faculty and staff.
“Discrimination and harassment are counter to our University’s core values and must never be tolerated,” Folt wrote, “and yet we know that these serious offenses may happen anywhere, including our campus.”
Folt urged anyone who experiences “sexual or gender-based harassment or any form of discrimination” to contact the university’s office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance. Reports can also be filed online.
“Our University is at its very best when we treat one another with respect and uphold the values we share as a community,” Folt wrote concluding the letter. “We should all expect and tolerate nothing less.”
You can read the entire letter signed by Folt, Provost Bob Blouin and Vice Chancellor for Workforce Strategy, Equity and Engagement Felicia Washington below:
Dear Carolina Community:
Welcome back to campus. We hope everyone had a restful and relaxing break.
As we begin 2018, we will continue to address many priorities and none is more important than protecting the safety of our campus community. The issue of sexual harassment is on the minds of everyone, as we have watched thousands of women across the nation courageously come forward to tell their stories. The #MeToo movement has started a powerful and important dialogue in our nation and around the world, and it’s helping inspire a transformative and positive change in our society.
And we want to make sure our campus isn’t just a part of the conversation, but doing all we can to engage and create positive change right here. This is more than a movement; it’s about creating a culture where all of us can feel free to pursue our passions and dreams without fear of harassment.
We are taking a fresh and critical look at policies and procedures across the University to make sure we are doing everything we can to create an inclusive and respectful culture at Carolina. When we learn about problems, we will take steps to address them and hold people accountable. We also are working to improve prevention measures, including evaluating and enhancing our training programs. Discrimination and harassment are counter to our University’s core values and must never be tolerated, and yet we know that these serious offenses may happen anywhere, including on our campus. If you have experienced sexual or gender-based harassment or any form of discrimination or you know someone who has, we urge you to contact the University’s office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance or report it online. For more information about our policies, programs and resources, please visit Safe at UNC.
We would like to thank the hundreds of people on our campus who work every day to strengthen our culture and help ensure that all of us feel safe to teach, learn and carry out the important work we are here to do. Our University is at its very best when we treat one another with respect and uphold the values we share as a community. We should all expect and tolerate nothing less.
Sincerely,
Carol L. Folt
Chancellor
Robert A. Blouin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Felicia A. Washington
Vice Chancellor for Workforce Strategy, Equity and Engagement
File photo of Carol Folt via Blake Hodge
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