U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee shared an open letter to UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts Friday afternoon expressing concern for student safety on campus in light of two late August incidents. On Aug. 29, members of the Taiwanese Student Association were harassed by a group of men on Polk Place, and two days later several Black student organizations were harassed and threatened by an intruder during a watch party in Greenlaw Hall, an on-campus building.

Foushee’s letter states her office has received “significant outreach” from UNC students about the incidents, and requested insight from Roberts and his administration into the steps they are taking to respond appropriately.

“Meetings in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event such as this are a good start, but just that,” Foushee, a UNC alumna, wrote. “With that in mind, I sincerely ask that you and the University be as proactive as possible with student engagement to ensure that students of color feel safe on campus moving forward.”

Foushee’s letter directed several questions toward Roberts. Among other things, she inquired into the existence of protocols in place for large events on campus unaffiliated with the school, and whether a “better and more robust alert system” will be implemented to notify students of danger.

Additionally, Foushee asked how Roberts’ administration is working to make sure students of color feel safe on campus, and whether there are plans to “empower and/or educate” students how to stay safe during a threatening event when police are not yet present.

“We all share the same beliefs and responsibility that UNC should be a place of learning without fear of violence and where respect for others is a core value,” wrote Foushee. “I genuinely appreciate your swift actions so far and would greatly appreciate continuing the dialogue on student safety at the university we all cherish so deeply.”

To read Foushee’s full letter, click here.

 

Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Brighton McConnell

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