To the Editor:
Thank you to the Office of Student Life staff members as well as faculty and students who worked extraordinarily hard to make the event this past Wednesday both positive and safe for our students. The protestors were confined to a specific area and the students responded to their vitriol with affirming and uplifting messages and activities. It was a stark contrast to the events of the previous Wednesday.
The specific events of that day, including the treatment of two men of color in our community, need to be addressed in a concerted and sustained way. I want to report that I have had meetings with the Mayor of Greencastle and the Police Chief to discuss ways that we can collaborate to address the issues of Sept. 23, specifically the actions of law enforcement and the effects of those actions on our students. Our Student Life leaders have also had discussions with the mayor and police on behalf of the affected students and have been in contact with those students regularly.
I have been and will continue to collect information and insights from students, faculty and staff as we determine the best course to take and the next steps needed to move forward.
By next week, I hope to inform you of proactive and forward-looking steps by DePauw and the City of Greencastle to ensure the future safety and security of the campus and its students, faculty and staff.
When I came to DePauw, I saw many great things as well as opportunities for improvement. As I prepare for my successor, I will continue to look for ways to make DePauw better. And I’d appreciate your thoughts on this, as well.
-President Brian Casey
