Response to Racially Motivated Incidents (From Student Leaders and the VP for Student Life)
Dear Baylor Family,
Our community is hurting as we learn more about, and begin our response to, a series of racially motivated incidents on campus. We strongly support Baylor University’s statement condemning this behavior towards members of our community while reaffirming our commitment to our values of diversity, safety, and civil discourse.
The University has created open dialogue forums like This Matters (@ThisMattersBU) and the Public Deliberation Initiative (@BUFormation) to provide spaces where students can engage in meaningful and respectful discussions about complex and challenging social issues. Civil discourse marked by listening and understanding each other facilitates the learning environment so critical to our caring community. No matter your politics, ethnicity, race, or religion, every student deserves the right to walk around our campus and feel safe. Anyone who chooses to compromise that feeling of peace is disregarding what it means to be a Baylor Bear.
The #IWalkWithNatasha March (Buzzfeed News) yesterday morning was a beautiful step towards reconciliation. The participants modeled what we know about and hope for Baylor University…that we are a diverse, caring community that supports one another as fellow Bears.
In the coming weeks, we hope that you will continue to engage in conversations with one another in a respectful manner, appreciating the differences and dignity of each of your peers, and helping us build up the community we love. We are all part of the Baylor family. We must strive diligently to strengthen unity through serving one another. Baylor University will be defined by the students that walk the sidewalks and the staff and faculty that care for us. We hope you will join us in committing to respect every person that calls Baylor home.
We want to provide a few of the many resources available to students to ensure we promote a safe and caring campus community.
- Save BUPD in Your Contacts: 254-710-2222
- Download the BU Guardian App at the Apple Store or Google Play
- Visit the ReportIt Website
- Tell Us Your Concerns at Student_Government@baylor.edu
Sincerely,
Lindsey Bacque, Student Body President
Kevin P. Jackson, Vice President for Student Life
Emily Neel, Student Regent
Daniel Thomas, Student Regent