Plans for Student Safety and Well-being
Date: October 25, 2023
To: NYU Students
From: NYU President Linda G. Mills and Sr. Vice President for University Life Jason Pina
To Our Student Community,
Over the past few weeks our university has been experiencing a great deal of turmoil in response to events affecting our community both near and far. We have heard from many of you who are deeply concerned about your safety. Confident we can be a foundation of civil discourse, we want to emphasize our university’s standing as a place of reflection, free expression, shared respect and security. There is no place for hate at NYU, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
In light of this, we are implementing a ten-point plan that addresses both student safety and emotional well-being, always paramount values, particularly amid times of tragedy.
1. Enhanced Security Measures.
Over the past few weeks, we have increased the presence of Campus Safety officers in Manhattan and Brooklyn, who are available for students should they feel threatened or unsafe, adding 2,000 weekly hours of foot patrols. As of today, we have added another 2,000 weekly hours, totaling 4,000 additional hours. We are also in close communication with the NYPD, and the city has increased police presence in Washington Square Park. In addition, expect to see an enhanced presence of NYPD officers outside key NYU buildings and residence halls. Please reach out to Campus Safety Officers or NYPD should you need them.
2. Enforcing Codes of Conduct.
NYU has been and will continue to enforce our NYU Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy for Students and our University Student Conduct Policy, by which all NYU students are expected to abide, as well as our Residential Life Handbook. Threatening behavior, property destruction, and disorderly or antagonizing conduct, among other actions, constitute breaches of these agreements. We have and will continue to discipline those who violate them, while keeping individual cases confidential.
3. Responding to Complaints.
Instances of discrimination or bias can be reported to NYU’s Bias Response Line. BRL staff members will respond within 48 hours. The university has committed additional resources to ensure the timely and comprehensive review of complaints. Reports can be submitted here. The BRL is not an emergency hotline or service. In case of emergency, please contact the NYPD at 911, NYU Campus Safety at +1-212-998-2222, or Wellness at +1-212-443-9999, as appropriate.
4. Opening Difficult Conversations.
Building on the excellent work that the Center for Faculty Advancement has done with the Office of Global Inclusion, Jason Pina, Senior Vice President for University Life, will develop several workshops on creating curricula for engaging in difficult conversations, which will be implemented throughout residence halls in the coming weeks.
5. Hosting Listening Sessions.
Working closely with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna and Imam Khalid Latif at NYU, our Student Senators Council and others, Linda Mills will be hosting, in conjunction with senior university leaders, listening sessions with students who have expressed concerns about their safety and well-being.
6. Creating Advocacy & Resource Spaces.
NYU is holding a Pop-Up Student Advocacy & Resources Open House to provide students with an interactive and informative time with direct access to valuable resources and expert guidance. These will be held today, October 25, and tomorrow, October 26, from noon to 3 p.m. on the third floor of the John A. Paulson Center. These events will cover topics like safety planning, understanding freedom of expression at NYU, pastoral guidance and care, and, as always, NYU Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS) is available to assist with mental health concerns.
7. Campaigning for Mutual Respect.
Today we are launching a campus-wide campaign to promote mutual respect and to affirm that there is no place for hate on our campuses. All students deserve to live and learn in peace. Signage around NYU will point community members toward helpful resources and policies.
8. Offering Education about Antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Starting next Monday, October 30, our Jewish Ally Zone and Muslim Ally Zone workshops will be offered weekly, providing students places to learn about the history of Islamophobia and antisemitism and their impact, as well as to discuss Jewish and Muslim identity and practice.
9. Community Engagement.
In December, NYU will draw on the extensive knowledge and talent of our community to host a week of activities, including performances, talks and conversations, to cultivate community engagement. Additional information will be later made available.
10. Promoting Understanding.
NYU will devote additional resources to the Working Group to Promote Understanding, a collection of interfaith and secular voices across the University formed last spring. It promotes an inclusive culture of religious, spiritual, and secular expression and belief and develops programs and recommendations for best supporting our entire community.
Many at NYU have already been working tirelessly to help students over the past weeks. We believe these additional steps will promote the safety and well-being of our community, which must be cornerstones of higher education and NYU.
Sincerely,
President Linda G. Mills
Sr. Vice President for University Life Jason Pina