Messages

11/19/09

A Thanksgiving Message from President Allen

Faculty, staff and students,

As we begin the holiday season, now is an appropriate time to reflect on the many reasons to be grateful for our university community.

The academic year thus far has had its fair share of challenges requiring much of your attention. On behalf of the university, thank you for your patience through these challenging times and your determination to act swiftly on the opportunities presented to advance our university community and mission.

UNI is a place where academic excellence is achieved, our differences and similarities should be celebrated, and opportunities for personal successes are nurtured.

The UNI spirit is alive, and I am grateful for the cooperation that continues advancing our efforts to be an inclusive university community.

Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving,

Ben Allen

11/12/09

Statement from President Allen about recent bias-related incidents

During the past week, bias-related incidents have been reported to the Dean of Students Office and UNI Police. The incidents include an assault; racial slurs being shouted and objects thrown at students from a passing car; and most recently, slurs were spray-painted on university property.

The university took swift action. Investigations of each of these incidents are underway. Support services have been offered to the individuals who reported the incidents and the vandalism has been repaired.

I want to be very clear. The university will not tolerate these types of acts. Please contact UNI Police if you have any information about these incidents.

Anytime students suspect there has been a bias-related incident, we encourage them to contact the Dean of Students or UNI Police. Faculty and staff are asked to contact the Office of Compliance and Equity Management or UNI Police to report bias-related incidents.

The University of Northern Iowa seeks to be an ethical, caring and diverse community, and a safe institution of higher education. UNI takes great pride in promoting a healthy environment and will hold accountable those individuals whose actions violate the law or university conduct policies.

Bias-related incidents threaten our efforts to promote an inclusive university community based on respect for all persons. Together, we must maintain an environment of mutual respect, dignity and tolerance for the wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Ben Allen

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RESOURCES

Dean of Students Office: 273-2332

http://www.uni.edu/studentaffairs/deanofstudents/

Compliance and Equity Management: 273-2846

http://www.uni.edu/equity/

UNI Police: 273-2712

http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/pubsaf/police_division/index.shtml

UNI Safety Web page: http://www.uni.edu/safety/

Diversity Matters Web page: http://www.uni.edu/diversity/