A message regarding antisemitic vandalism in our community

Dear colleagues,

We're writing to share with you a note that was shared with our student body last night regarding a number of antisemitic incidents that have occurred at DU in the last several days.  We stand together in deploring these acts and in committing ourselves to promoting a warm, welcoming campus in which all community members can thrive.

Warm regards,

Mary Clark, Provost

Jeff Banks, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Inclusive Community

Chris Whitt, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
 

February 13, 2023
 

Dear DU Students:
 

In the past few days, our residential communities have experienced three acts of antisemitic vandalism. As some of you may have heard, early last Thursday, a Johnson-MacFarlane resident’s door was vandalized; and yesterday evening, two residents from the Nagel Hall reported that their doors were vandalized and religious items were removed over the weekend.

The University has provided a range of supports to directly affected students and continues to investigate these incidents. If you have information about any of these incidents, please share it with the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX (EOIX) by emailing equalopportunity@du.edu or by filing a report through their online reporting form. You can find more information about the Equal Opportunity office, and relevant policies and procedures at www.du.edu/equalopportunity.

We want to be very clear that these acts are NOT acceptable within DU’s community, and acknowledge the harm that has been caused to members of our community. Every student, faculty, and staff member deserves a place to live, learn, and work that is respectful, welcoming, and safe. Each of us shares the responsibility to foster that environment through our actions.

We each have commitments to make. Importantly, we call on our community members to be accountable for our community. This means holding oneself and one’s community responsible when harm is caused, seeking ways to prevent harmful acts from occurring in the future, as well as engaging in campus life, including cultural and educational opportunities, to make connections across the DU campus. 

As we continue working with all involved, below are some resources to educate, support, and engage our community:

Hillel and Chabad supporting Jewish student life at the DU community

What is antisemitism? www.ushmm.org/antisemitism/what-is-antisemitism  

Individual and group support is available through the Health & Counseling Center (HCC): www.du.edu/health

Student Outreach & Support: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/student-outreach-support 

Get involved on campus: https://crimsonconnect.du.edu 

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your Dean of Students office: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/get-connected.

Sincerely,

Todd Adams, Vice Chancellor 

Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence