To our students, faculty and staff:
On Tuesday evening, I held an open forum with students where they voiced a wide range of concerns, the most serious being campus safety and sexual misconduct. Let me be clear, sexual violence of any kind is unacceptable on or off our campus. This institution takes these issues very seriously.
Every member of the Anna Maria community must do their part to prevent sexual violence and be there for one another. I encourage you to report sexual misconduct of any kind. For those of you who may have been impacted by it or are feeling fearful as a result of recent events, there are resources and support measures available to you. If you need resources, support or have a complaint, please contact our Title IX Coordinator and Director of Human Resources, Joellen Andrews, at jandrews@annamaria.eduor (508) 849-3444.
At present, the College is actively investigating multiple incidents reported this semester through the Title IX process. No member of our community should feel threatened or unsafe. While the current investigations are moving as quickly as possible, I recognize the pain associated with this process.
There are several efforts already underway to support you:
• On the staffing front, we are actively interviewing for a dedicated staff member to do advocacy, education, survivor support and educational programs.
• On Monday, October 4th from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Campus Center you are encouraged to Meet Your Title IX and support staff: Title IX Coordinator Joellen Andrews, Associate Vice President Jessica Eckstrom and Director of Counseling Lynn Curran.
• On Wednesday, October 6th from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Campus Rotary, there will be an AMCAT Challenge – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Event.
• On Thursday, October 7th from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. in Nolder Conference Room, please attend Title IX 101 to learn more about the Title IX process, how to report an incident, follow up after an incident, find support, etc.
• The Title IX team is also actively training faculty and staff on reporting and adjudication procedures and additional campus activities and support programs are being planned.
Lastly, to the students who posted flyers this morning around campus to bring attention to the issue of sexual violence, I want you to know that I appreciate your activism. Going forward, please work with Student Affairs to organize awareness efforts like this so we can be sensitive to those who could be unintentionally distressed by such activity.
As President, I welcome your input to this communication.
President Mary Lou Retelle
