President Roberts reaffirms commitment to campus safety

Dear Auburn Family:

I would like to take a moment to address some concerns that have been expressed regarding campus safety and share with you what I have been communicating regarding our commitment to ensuring a safe community.

I would like to express this as clearly and deliberately as I can – Auburn University does not tolerate nor ignore instances of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or any other type of abusive behavior. 

I would also like to be equally emphatic on this point – by every measurement, practice and action, Auburn takes campus safety seriously. There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

Through our comprehensive approach that includes around-the-clock campus security, policing, support services and education and prevention programs, we work to keep Auburn safe. Auburn takes action to investigate any reported allegation when a complaint is brought forward, including off-campus conduct when appropriate, and punishes the offenders when found responsible.

While policies, procedures, safety measures and laws alone cannot prevent all abusive acts on our campus or in our city, we are committed to creating the safest environment possible. I ask each person on our campus to report any type of abusive behavior that you witness or if you have knowledge of such behavior. I also want all students, faculty and staff to know that they are empowered to speak up and that we share in the responsibility to ensure that we have a campus culture that does not tolerate this behavior. 

It takes a tremendous amount of courage for survivors to report sexual assault, abuse or harassment. The university takes our duty seriously to support and protect those who report or who are in need of help and we quickly reach out to those in crisis. Our resources include:

• Safe Harbor: a confidential resource, that supports those experiencing personal violence, including dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking/harassment. 

  • A 24/7 crisis phone number (334-844-7233).

• Title IX office that employs three full-time skilled investigators, a Title IX coordinator, a senior deputy coordinator and a compliance administrator, all of whom not only investigate Title IX complaints but provide numerous training sessions to the campus community each year.

• Auburn Cares: helps students connect with campus and/or community resources.

Our comprehensive safety, security and educational resources include:

• Auburn Police Department University Precinct officers patrolling the campus 24 hours a day.

• Auburn University security officers contracted and employed for after-hours shifts.

• Night Time Security Shuttle: door-to-door on-campus transportation.

• Extensive security camera system monitored 24 hours a day.

• Nearly 200 blue light emergency phones that dial directly to 911.

• Free Auburn Safety app.

• Two prevention/education programs for incoming students:

  • All students participating in Camp War Eagle and Successfully Orienting Students, participate in programming designed to share policy, resources and bystander-related content. 

  • All incoming students are invited to participate in EVERFI’s AlcoholEdu for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates online pre-matriculation course.

• Green Dot: bystander intervention program. 

• Raise the Bar initiative: bystander training for restaurant and bar staff. 

• Annual Security and Fire Safety Report provides information on existing sexual assault prevention and awareness programming. 

Chief among my goals as President is maintaining a culture of excellence by using the Auburn Creed as our north star. If there are instances where we do not live up to the principles of the Creed, we will acknowledge any shortcomings and take corrective action. I look forward to working with the Auburn Family to continue to create an environment where every person on this campus feels welcomed, valued, respected and engaged.

Sincerely,

Christopher B. Roberts

President