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February 5, 2016

Roberts Response to Recent Incident

February 4, 2016, 3:00 p.m.  - Roberts Wesleyan College is outraged and saddened about the apparent racially motivated incident that took place on campus. We have zero tolerance for racism or discrimination — this type of behavior is not acceptable and is not who Roberts Wesleyan is as a community.

We were founded on a belief in the value of full community and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming community to all students, staff and faculty. Such racist discrimination and hateful actions will not be accepted.

We addressed this situation immediately and are working closely with campus safety and local law enforcement on the investigation. 

As a community, we will come together during this difficult time and we will make it through this, together.

 

President Deana's Remarks at Campus-wide Meeting 


February 5, 2016, 11:00 a.m. - Thank you for adjusting your schedule and for coming to this important gathering.  Our community is experiencing a difficult time.

Roberts Wesleyan College was founded 150 years ago by a man who fought to end slavery and was a champion for the dignity and human rights of all people.  As a community, we have been committed to education for character, to teaching students to connect their heads to their hearts and engage their hands. In the words of Jesus, to be salt and light in our world — especially for those who have been marginalized — and to treat all people as we would like to be treated by them. 

It was simply unacceptable to B.T. Roberts, and it is unacceptable to me, that anyone on our campus would be persecuted, oppressed, demeaned or discriminated against with words or actions on the basis of their race. That is why, when I heard about the events yesterday, I was angry, saddened and disappointed.

We are here today because our 150-year legacy has been profoundly challenged by this incident. The victims of this senseless, hate-filled action need to hear again that they are part of a family at Roberts Wesleyan College—a family that stands unreservedly with them and for them, and against all forms of hatred and oppression. And you who are here today deserve not only to hear the facts of what happened, but also to hear from each other words of conviction, comfort and encouragement.

When I was preparing to come to this community 18 months ago, I read up on who B.T. Roberts was, what this institution stands for and what core values drive it.  Since I arrived, I have been only affirmed and encouraged by the stories of our alumni, by the hearts of the good people who work and serve here every day, and, most of all, by the very special and precious students among us — you. You — the students — are why we do what we do. 

That’s why it deeply disturbs me, to the point of outrage, to hear that someone or some ones have acted in hate and violence toward students in their dorm. If that person or those people are in this room, I want you to know that your actions will not be tolerated. Our campus safety team and the sheriff’s department are both conducting investigations. We pray and hope that they will solve this crime and identify anyone who participated in it — perpetrators will be found out and will feel the consequences of these foolish and criminal actions. If you were involved, I question your reason for being on this campus.

The apostle John repeats Jesus’ words to the disciples this way: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” [John 13:35] We cannot hate those around us and say that we love God.” It is not possible. Yet we all live in a world that is deeply marred by selfishness and hatred. It affects not only creation, but our very hearts. 

Please understand that I do not question our commitment to unequivocal and unwavering Christian character. I do not question that the overwhelming majority of people who live and work here are people who love Jesus and seek to represent him. The Kingdom of God is, and always has been, a racially, ethnically and culturally diverse community that esteems all people. That has always been our mandate, and it will always be our mandate. 

Do we have improvements to make in this regard? Absolutely. Increased diversity is a goal and priority of our current Strategic Plan, but it has been a central part of our DNA since our founding in 1866. We will make sure that our legacy and this identity are clearly articulated and clearly understood by everyone.

What I would like to leave you with today is a strong encouragement to make this very ugly incident into an opportunity; to turn this incredibly hurtful moment into a possibility for healing. To ask forgiveness where needed, and to stand alongside your fellow students in creating a community that reflects God Honoring Diversity. A community that understands the tensions of the world around us, but seeks to create an environment fully committed to embracing our differences and celebrating our unique contributions. 

For our dorm residents:  During the next few weeks, you will be invited to participate in conversations with your RAs or RDs. Attend these. Listen to what is said. Share your own thoughts. Pray with each other. Open your eyes and ears to try to see and hear what you may have previously tried to ignore. Be part of the solution to any prejudice that clouds our campus.

To our commuters and adult students: You are family. We invite you to connect with your classmates and faculty, to attend extracurricular events and to interact more intentionally with those around you. You, too, can be part of a healing conversation on this campus. You may have the ability to help us see what is too close for us to recognize.

And to our faculty and staff: Live to show everyone in our community that actions such as these are unacceptable. Create safe space for difficult conversations and encourage dialogue that challenges the racism around us. 

Today, we have an opportunity to do what we, along with our culture, have been so often unable to do: To stand against wrong and for what is right — to carry each other’s pain — and to reflect the love of Christ to those who are hurting. To be ambassadors of reconciliation.

Each of you is created in the image of God. Our call today is to honor and respect God’s image in every person and to live in a way that reflects the actions of Jesus. If you need to ask forgiveness from God and others, do it. If you need to encourage someone, do it. As people of faith, you are called to be salt and light on behalf of the world, and we will not be defined by this terrible act. Instead, we will let the light of Christ shine through us, demonstrating for each other God’s deep love for all people. Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, let your light shine to those in this room and to those around the world.

Q&As for February 4, 2016 Apparent Racially Motivated Incident


February 10, 2016, 10:00 a.m.

Q. What happened at Roberts Wesleyan College?

A.  Roberts Wesleyan College is outraged and saddened about the apparent racially motivated incident that took place on campus on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. The incident took place in one of our residence halls and appears to have been targeted toward a specific group of students and involved vandalizing the suite with racial slurs. This type of behavior is not acceptable and is not who Roberts Wesleyan is as a community.

Q. When was the college made aware of this situation?

A. Students contacted Campus Safety upon seeing the vandalized area. Campus Safety immediately contacted law enforcement and the college swiftly came together to notify students, faculty and staff of the incident through an email. A campus-wide meeting was also held the following day to inform everyone and give students the opportunity to share and respond to this situation.

Q. Why did students, faculty and staff gather on campus the following day?

A. As a community, we came together during a difficult time. We hosted a meeting for all students, faculty and staff to address the situation and to create an open dialogue. 1,000 individuals were in attendance to show support for the victims.

Roberts Wesleyan College was founded 150 years ago by a man who fought to end slavery and was a champion for the dignity and human rights of all people. As a community, we have been committed to education for character, to teaching students to connect their heads to their hearts and engage their hands. In the words of Jesus, to be salt and light in our world — especially for those who have been marginalized — and to treat all people as we would like to be treated by them.

Q. What is Roberts Wesleyan’s response to this incident?

A.It was simply unacceptable to BT Roberts, and it is still unacceptable to our community, that anyone on the Roberts Wesleyan campus would be persecuted, oppressed, marginalized, demeaned or discriminated against with words or actions on the basis of their race.

Our 150-year legacy has been profoundly challenged by this incident. The victims of this senseless, hate-filled action need to hear again that they are part of a family at Roberts Wesleyan College — a family that stands unreservedly with them and for them, and against all forms of hatred and oppression.

Q. Do you know who committed this crime?

A. At this time, we do not know who committed the crime; however, campus and county law enforcement are conducting a full-on investigation.

Q. What actions is campus safety taking to ensure this does not happen again?

A.  We have added extra patrols and are monitoring indoor and outdoor camera systems. We are encouraging students, faculty and staff to call Campus Safety if they see or hear anything suspicious.

Q. How will the person, or persons, be punished?

A. We will base our disciplinary actions on the outcome of the Monroe County Sheriff’s investigation and in alignment with the College’s code of conduct.

Q. What opportunities for action do you see as a result of this incident?

A. Student classes and clubs have initiated activities in response to this recent event and are engaging in conversations about equality and race reconciliation. These have also been initiated in dorm groups, as well as the Student Multicultural Advisory Council (SMAC) meetings. Student leaders have coordinated a donation to cover the amount stolen from the student in this crime.

Increased employee diversity is a goal and priority of our current Strategic Plan. To that end, the President has engaged a Hiring Task Force to mobilize our commitment to racial/ethnic diversity in employee recruitment and hiring practices, and help us become “an ethnically diverse community that esteems all people and prepares students to serve in a global environment.” The Task Force activity will include full community dialogue, with the goal of having new/updated policies and procedures in place by July 1, 2016.

In general, our students, faculty and staff are encouraged to make this very ugly incident into an opportunity; to turn this incredibly hurtful moment into a possibility for healing. To ask forgiveness where needed and to stand alongside each other in creating a community that reflects God Honoring Diversity. A community that understands the tensions of the world around us, but seeks to create an environment fully committed to embracing our differences and celebrating our unique contributions. 

Q. Has anything like this ever happened at Roberts Wesleyan College before?

A. The College was recently named the safest college in the state of New York and has had a few minor incidents over the past 10 years. However, this is the first time we have experienced a targeted situation such as this on our campus.


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