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Dear AU Community:

Issues related to sexual assault have been on the front page of the news in recent weeks. While these reports have sparked outrage and anger, particularly for survivors who may have been retraumatized by the accounts, we know that sexual violence on college campuses is not new.

Nevertheless, the news has weighed heavily on us as leaders of American University, particularly given our responsibility to do everything possible to protect and support AU’s students.

Unlike many schools, we decided not to send out a statement in the days following the initial news reports about Jane Doe’s lawsuit. Instead, we wanted to act. Over the past couple of weeks, university leaders have met with students, faculty, staff, survivor advocates, including It's on Us and No More @AU,  student organizations, and campus safety officials to identify ways we can strengthen prevention, reporting, and survivor support.

These were challenging and emotional conversations that produced concrete steps we believe will help us continue to do better for our community.

We heard from community members who were hesitant to use the Title IX process and had concerns about its overall effectiveness. Kristi Harris, AU’s Assistant Vice President for Equity & Title IX Coordinator, will continue to proactively address these concerns, including by improving processing times and communications.

Today, we are taking steps to improve our processes and resources. These efforts will build on recommendations developed by the 2023 Community Working Group of faculty, staff and students, led by Provost Vicky Wilkins and others. Some improvements will take more time to evaluate, and we will keep the community updated as that work continues.

• We will develop a helpline that allows community members to report sexual assault and interpersonal harm when university offices are closed. This helpline will operate 24/7.
• Housing & Residence Life manages temporary emergency safe housing in our residence halls for students who feel unsafe in their current living arrangements because of sexual trauma. We will ensure students have access to these resources promptly and will connect them with additional support as needed.
• We are creating a new role that was designed by survivor advocates to serve as a prevention specialist and survivor advocate. This person will lead prevention education campaigns and provide confidential support for survivors.
• Dean of Students Jeff Brown and Assistant Vice President for Equity & Title IX Kristi Harris will coordinate a careful review of the proposed Survivor Bill of Rights to explore possible next steps.
• We will strengthen student participation in the Equity & Title IX Advisory Council; expand education on consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention; and work together to coordinate survivor advocacy and support across the university.
• We created a plain-language webpage that walks survivors through their options via the criminal, civil, and university processes. This webpage is designed to ensure survivors understand their options and have the resources to make whatever decision is right for them.
• We confirmed existing legal practices in Washington, D.C., given the focus on these issues in New York. AUPD will continue its practice of referring investigations of sexual assault cases to the Metropolitan DC Police Department’s (MPD) Sexual Assault Unit, which has specialized investigators and established relationships with forensic medical providers and victim advocates. However, AUPD can lead the investigation if the survivor prefers.

The most rewarding discussions over the past week were those with students who stepped forward and said: “I want to create a culture to ensure that intervention is the right thing to do, not a bad thing to do.” 

News reports indicated that 57 students were on a text chain which described Jane Doe in explicit, dehumanizing, deeply disturbing terms and encouraged sexual violence against her. Of those 57 people, not one stepped forward to say: “Stop.”  We are grateful for the AU student leaders who expressed a desire and willingness to play a leadership role in creating a culture at AU where Eagles look out for other Eagles. We will work with them to help create a culture of bystander intervention.

Our commitment is straightforward: Prevent harm, support survivors, respond effectively, and continually work to make American University even safer and stronger.

Sincerely, 

Dave Marchick
Interim President

Vicky Wilkins
Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer

Bronté Burleigh-Jones
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Sarah G. Baldassaro
Chief of Staff, Counselor to the President, and Board Secretary

JM Caparro
Director, Athletics and Recreation

Elaine Crosson
Interim Vice President and General Counsel

Jackie Mabry
Interim Vice President of Advancement

Nkenge Friday
Vice President, Inclusive Excellence

Jeremy Lowe
Interim Vice President, Undergraduate Enrollment Management

Steve Munson
Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Katya Popova
Interim Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Dayne Hutchinson
Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Doug Pierce
Acting Police Chief, AUPD

Kristi Harris
Assistant Vice President for Equity and Title IX Coordinator