Dear Colleagues:
As we look forward to the beginning of a new academic year, we are stunned and saddened by the gun violence afflicting communities across our nation, in particular recent episodes on and around college and university campuses.
Our hearts go out to our colleagues at UNC Chapel Hill where a faculty member was killed senselessly while working in a campus building. This follows the recent racially motivated hate crime in Florida, where a larger tragedy was narrowly avoided at Edward Waters University, when the assailant was turned away by alert staff and students. Both of these incidents, among others in recent years, hit close to home for all of us who work on a college campus.
Monmouth University strives to maintain a safe campus community. The Monmouth University Police Department and our Department of Student Life work diligently to create a campus that is a safe and welcoming space for all students, faculty, and staff. We are grateful to all of our colleagues in these areas for their leadership. But, a safe and supportive community is a shared responsibility. We need to stay vigilant and watch out for one another. If you see a problem, please report it to the Monmouth University Police Department at 732-571-4444. We regularly review safety protocols and strive for continuous improvement. These recent incidents underscore the importance of these efforts.
Our profound sense of community is a defining hallmark of Monmouth University. Monmouth is a place where each individual is respected and supported, a community where our individual differences are celebrated. As we enter the fall semester, we are confident that our community is strong and growing stronger.
We wish you all the best with the start of a new semester and thank you for your efforts on behalf of our students.
Sincerely,
President Patrick F. Leahy and Interim Provost Richard Veit