Letter to the Editor: Inclusion at Santa Clara
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on inclusion at the home of the Broncos
At Santa Clara University, no work is more important than our efforts to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming campus where all are respected and valued. I, like many members of our community, am deeply troubled by stories of discrimination and harassment that have been shared recently by some of our current and former students.
As the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, it is my responsibility to work closely with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office to address and respond to incidents of alleged discrimination and harassment involving faculty.
I have been following the posts on the Instagram account @BeingBlackatSCU and am grateful to those who have shared their experiences. I want to make sure that every member of our community knows that Santa Clara University has comprehensive resources and support services available for anyone who experiences racial bias or sexual misconduct. We have multiple channels for students, faculty, staff and others to report such incidents, anonymously if they choose. And, we have clear protocols in place to ensure that all reports are followed up on promptly, investigated thoroughly and fairly and that disciplinary or corrective action is taken when appropriate.
The allegation of sexual assault by a faculty member that was conveyed through @BeingBlackatSCU was particularly concerning. The Provost’s Office, Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office and the Department of Political Science have searched through records going back five years and have found no complaint lodged of an alleged sexual assault by a Political Science professor. I urge the anonymous poster to please report this incident, so the University can look into this specific allegation.
We are committed to investigating all allegations. This online form provides students, staff, faculty, visitors, parents/guardians or others with a 24/7 channel to report concerns related to any alleged incident(s) of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual exploitation), or retaliation. For those who would like to make an anonymous report, Ethicspoint is available online or via a toll-free telephone option (1-888-552-8060). You may also reach me directly at the Office of the Provost: provost@scu.edu.
We are committed to your safety and to ensuring a secure, inclusive and respectful campus for everyone at SCU.
Kate Morris, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs