Aloha Yellow Jackets,
 
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you found the time and space to disconnect, rejuvenate and relax – in preparation for the rest of the Spring term! For this month’s newsletter, we will cover the following topics:  

Campus Safety Reminders

In the wake of a notable increase in the prevalence of mass violence impacting educational institutions – including the recent incident at Michigan State University in mid-February - I wanted to take some time to focus on safety. When it comes to campus safety, prevention and risk reduction always occur on a continuum. On one end are the things that are in our personal control, as well as actions we can each take to reduce risk. In studying mass violence incidents, a recurring pattern is that there were warning signs that people picked up, but did not think to follow up on. The adage, “If you hear or see something, then say something,” is quite relevant when it comes to campus safety. 

Every student, faculty, and staff member should strive to be aware of their surroundings and report anything that looks, sounds, or seems suspicious. This includes reporting things like broken locks on doors, doors being propped open inappropriately, etc. Don’t worry about appearing to overreact – better to be safer than sorry. In addition, you can sign up for GTENS to ensure you get notifications and timely information in the event of a safety incident; GTENS is how Georgia Tech will communicate with our community in such a situation to let you know what to do, where to go, when the risk has been resolved, and other relevant information. Lastly, I encourage you to download and use the free LiveSafe app if you have not already done so; it contains information about our policies and procedures and how to contact GT Police Department. I have it on my own phone!

On the other end of the continuum are the things we, as the Institute, can do to minimize risk. It’s important to keep in mind that no university can say with 100% certainty that they will eliminate the risk of any violence. But conducting routine inspections of facilities, having clear procedures and protocols in place for responding in the event of a campus emergency, and preparing members of the Georgia Tech community are all aspects of what the Institute can and does do. Note that each Building has a Building Manager, as well as Building Emergency Plans (sometimes called a “Redbook”) – you can ask who is the Building Manager for where your classrooms are located and share your concerns and suggestions. 

Georgia Tech also has an active Office of Emergency Management overseeing all these endeavors. They maintain GT’s Emergency Operations Procedures manual, as well as coordinate several trainings hosted each year called “table tops” (simulation exercises) that help shore up our skills in responding to a wide range of crises, including mass violence. Any student organization, department, or other organization on campus can request to have a training session delivered for their members.

This is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the state laws that govern our campus regarding the possession of weapons. USG prohibits all weapons on property owned or leased by the USG and its institutions, except as specifically provided in policy and law.   USG policy is here:  https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2675/.  HB280 or the “campus carry bill” took effect on July 1, 2017, and there were further amendments in 2021 in SB 319. Those laws state that anyone who is a “lawful weapons carrier” as defined in state law, is allowed to possess concealed handguns on campus in specific location. Prohibited locations include, but are not limited to, athletic venues, on-campus student housing, fraternity and sorority houses, faculty academic offices, offices where disciplinary proceedings are held, and spaces where classes are held in which high school students are enrolled, including dual-enrollment programs, as well as pre-school and childcare facilities. It should be noted that it is incumbent upon gun owners to know and understand the parameters surrounding this law. Additional information can be found at https://police.gatech.edu/campus-carry-information, the questions can be directed to our Crime Prevention team at crimeprevention@police.gatech.edu.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not reiterate: if ever you believe you are in imminent danger or your safety is threatened, do not hesitate to contact GTPD immediately at (404) 894-2500 or 911.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on women’s contributions to international, national, state, and Georgia Tech, in such areas as history, politics, business, society, and culture. Since 1917, women students, faculty, and staff have brought diverse perspectives and insight that help create a vibrant living, learning and working community. In 2022, we celebrated the 70^th Anniversary of women enrolling at the Institute, and this year we mark the 25^th Anniversary of the Women’s Resource Center. This year is a record-setting one for female enrollment at Georgia Tech, with 14,595 students enrolled, a 60% increase over the last five years. Within that overall enrollment, our undergraduate population is currently 40% women, another Georgia Tech record. And when we look at next year’sentering class, we’ve reached 42% of the class identifying as female for the first time ever.

We also have more women in senior leadership roles at Georgia Tech than ever before: five of the eight academic deans are women, and five of the 12 cabinet members are women. Yet, while it is important to celebrate the growing representation of women at Georgia Tech, women still remain in the minority as students, faculty, and staff. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan outlines action strategies that support investing in our historically marginalized populations, including women, and supporting the growth and retention of these populations within our community.

One of Georgia Tech’s values is “thriving on diversity,” which states that “We strive to remove barriers to access and success and to build an inclusive community where people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to learn and contribute to our mission.” Here in SEWB, we endeavor to embed this value into our practices, programs, services, and organizational culture. Research demonstrates that communities in which everyone feels a sense of belonging better facilitate the success – academic and otherwise - of all members within that community.

As Women’s History Month continues, I hope you will take the time to identify and express your gratitude to one or more individuals in your life who have made a conscious effort to ensure the equitable advancement of all individuals, including women.

Closing Thoughts

I wish you the absolute best through the remainder of the semester. The Division of Student Engagement & Well-Being remains committed to supporting your success. As a reminder, there are a wide range of programs and servicesacross Georgia Tech available to assist and support you in your times of need. Let us know if, when, or how we can help!