On Monday, March 3, the Campus Climate Response Team (CCERT) hosted a Town Hall Community Conversation with over 50 members of the UHart community in attendance. The discussion was filled with meaningful dialogue and insights. We deeply appreciate everyone who participated in this important conversation.
If you were unable to join us, the following key questions were discussed:
- Fostering a Sense of Belonging
- How does UHart successfully create a welcoming and connected environment for students, faculty, and staff?
- What additional efforts could further enhance a sense of belonging?
- Barriers to an Inclusive Campus Climate
- What challenges exist in ensuring all community members feel seen, valued, and respected?
Key Themes Identified from Feedback:
- Communication: Many participants highlighted the need for clearer and more effective communication channels, including UNotes, campus-wide emails, and follow-up procedures.
- Belonging & Accessibility: Suggestions included increasing accessibility for events, clarifying invitations, and ensuring inclusive scheduling to better connect students, faculty, and staff.
- Traditions & Community Engagement: Attendees expressed appreciation for existing traditions like Start Strong activities, Senior Week, and the "H" photo, while also voicing interest in expanding such initiatives.
- Reporting & University Systems: Concerns were raised about the flow of information in reporting structures, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and education on reporting mechanisms.
CCERT Report Data & Next Steps
During the town hall, questions arose about CCERT’s reporting process. To date:
- 3 reports have been submitted directly to CCERT.
- 14 additional reports were addressed through other university reporting channels.
- Total reports handled: 17
- CCERT has responded to each report with:
- Individual meetings to provide support and referrals.
- Educational conversations to address concerns.
- Community outreach emails to gather additional support.
Many of the broader concerns raised require collaboration across multiple university departments/areas. CCERT is actively working with campus stakeholders to determine actionable next steps.
For more information on CCERT, our initiatives, or to request training, please visit this page.