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STUDENT LIFE

CLIMATE CONCERN REPORTING AND PROCESSES

Conduct that causes harm to another person based on identity or status at the University is not tolerated. It is important that climate concerns are reported so that the reporter and/or those affected receive the support and care they deserve.

 

Pathways to Report a Climate Concern

Many pathways exist to report a climate concern at ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University.

All reported climate concerns will be treated with care, privacy and taken seriously. 

Climate Concern Coordinators

Online/Anonymous Reporting Options

Additional
Reporting Options

  • Your Resident Assistant
  • A trusted advisor, faculty or staff member on campus
  • Department of Public Safety
    Phone: 610-519-5800
    or via the Nova Safe app

 

*The resources listed above are non-emergency reporting options. In an emergency, call ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Public Safety at 610-519-4444.

When something happens, it helps to share your concern with another person—know that you are not alone. Speak with someone you feel comfortable with from the many resources listed above. ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ is committed to supporting you and to addressing the situation.

 

 

Initial and Ongoing Coordination;
Student Care and Support

After a climate concern report is received, you will be contacted as soon as possible by a staff member responsible for responding to climate concerns who will provide support, learn more about who was affected and speak with you about desired next steps. Information about the incident may be shared with the coordinators of climate concern reports in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Intercultural Affairs. The coordinators will consult with one another and may meet with the reporter or others who have been affected.

The goal of this information sharing is to coordinate a response for support needed and to determine next steps. Each situation is different, as well as those impacted and their identities. Ensuring that affected students receive support is always the priority. 

After the initial contact, ongoing student care and support will be provided, which include individual support and follow-up, community support and follow-up, and/or options for resolution and response.     

Individual Support and Follow-Up

Community Support and Follow-Up

Resolution
and Response

Initial and ongoing coordination of climate concern reporting

The needs of the affected student(s) are of utmost importance. Referrals to appropriate resources can be made to provide support and counseling options. Students will be able to choose the options that interest them. As sometimes the full impact of an incident may not be felt immediately, one of the climate concern coordinators will request to remain in contact with the affected student(s) for an agreed-upon period of time in order to determine if any additional support is desired.  

As part of the process, the affected person(s) will also have the opportunity to share what response to the situation they are interested in, including possible outreach by the University to the person(s) who engaged in the conduct of concern or others in the community. 

Often when a climate concern occurs, others may be directly or indirectly affected. People may be impacted by what happened because they share a marginalized identity that was targeted, or they may disagree with the reported conduct. Community support and follow-up could include a facilitated conversation within a residence hall, a specific student organization, or might include campus-wide outreach and educational efforts.

There are various resolution and response options available to address climate concerns. Considering the wishes of the affected student(s) is always desired. Students may request outreach by ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ to those who engaged in the conduct of concern so that they may acknowledge the harm done and decrease the likelihood that they will engage in similar actions in the future. 

At times, a climate concern may also be considered a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which could involve a disciplinary process. Since the disciplinary process is a private matter, affected students and other interested students will not be made aware of what happens to the person who committed the act. It is important to know all reports made are taken seriously. Conduct that causes harm to another person based on identity or status at the University is not tolerated. 

Other resolution and response options could be mediation, restorative justice, or facilitated discussions.  In addition, educational and awareness opportunities may be initiated. Some resolution and response options may first necessitate an investigation or an information-gathering process by appropriate offices, including Public Safety or Student Life. The ultimate goal of the climate resolution and response process is to create an environment where students of every identity, especially marginalized identities, feel safe and respected.