During the two months I have spent on UNC’s campus, I have been impressed with the cross-section of the community that has fully and openly engaged in conversation about the sexual misconduct issues. These conversations are just a beginning, but they bode well for meaningful change.
I have spent most of my career addressing the often silent — and always horrific — issues attendant to sexual misconduct. I have been exposed to courageous people and communities, and the Carolina community is one of the most remarkable yet.
It is my hope that what we have learned from this process will be the foundation for healthy systems that serve the well-being of all of campus.
I am often asked if sexual misconduct is a problem unique to universities. It is not. College campuses are a microcosm of what we see in society. These communities struggle with many of the same issues I observed as a sex crimes prosecutor and educator: barriers to reporting, complaints about investigations, victim-blaming, anemic support services, minimal advocacy, uninformed fact-finders and concerns about the fairness of the process.
To address these concerns in the educational setting, the Department of Education asked every university in 2011 to review its policies regarding sexual misconduct and implement changes.
Policy, however, is only one element of the equation that will result in the hoped-for change. We must also better understand the unique dynamics of sexual misconduct, as well as the individual experience, culture, personnel, resources and needs of each campus. The challenge is to address these issues in a way that tends to needs of our students, faculty and staff.
Together, we can meet this challenge. We can engage the community, improve our understanding of these complex issues, and change the campus culture. That is Chancellor Holden Thorp’s mission.
To date, we have provided safe places to come together as a community to voice concerns, share ideas and ask pointed questions. These opportunities, designed to reach as many community members as possible, include open forums, individual meetings, anonymous options in group meetings and an anonymous online suggestion box through the Campus Conversation website.
Since coming to Carolina, I have met with and heard from more than 1,000 individuals — including students, student leaders, faculty, staff, alumni and parents. It is evident in these conversations that this community cares deeply about student welfare, and I want to make sure that message is heard. I have read every suggestion you have made and carefully studied every policy and procedure.
