Dear editor and students:

I am writing in response to a recent article in The Shield and questions we have received related to reported incidents of sexual misconduct on campus. This topic is being discussed on college campuses around the country and USI is committed to preventive education and responding to reported incidents.

I strongly encourage students to promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct by notifying the Dean of Students Office, Public Safety, or Housing and Residence Life. All faculty and administrators are obligated to report these types of incidents to the appropriate officials when they become aware of them.

Nationally, these unfortunate incidents are historically under-reported. Therefore, the university is committed to training and educational opportunities, such as online training modules students received at the beginning of the year, documentary showings and panel discussions and bystander intervention education.

We know these tools have started important conversations and encouraged affected individuals to come forward to seek the help and resources that are available to them.

We are committed to safety on our campus. USI utilizes the Rave Alert system to issue timely warnings for crimes which have been reported to Public Safety or local law enforcement agencies occurring on campus property or adjoining areas that are considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.

Everyone with a university email address is automatically enrolled in Rave. You can visit the Public Safety website to register your mobile number as well.

Sincerely,

Brian Rush