President Scholz sent the following message to faculty, staff, and students on October 7, 2026.
Dear students, faculty and staff,
I am writing because reports of sexual assaults on and near our campus just before the start of classes are deeply troubling. Sexual violence remains too prevalent, creating harm to victims, their friends and family, and the community.
A safe, respectful community cannot be taken for granted. We have to work at this. We have evidence-based prevention, education, support, and Title IX and law enforcement efforts in place, but we need to do more.
It is critical that students feel they can report concerns to us so we can support them and respond appropriately. We must hold those responsible accountable, support individuals who come forward, uphold our policies, and provide substantive prevention and response efforts.
We will continue to examine our efforts closely to ensure we are doing all we can, employing best practices, and remaining proactive in creating a safe campus. But I want to stress that all of us are part of creating a safe, responsive community. The burden of prevention must not fall on those who experience violence. Speak up and intervene when you see a situation that could become unsafe, get help when needed, know your reporting options if you suspect an assault, uphold a high standard for yourself and others, and support one another.
In the coming days, employees will be receiving a communication reminding all of us to complete our required annual workplace harassment and discrimination prevention training, and students will receive information and instructions on completing annual required sexual assault prevention training.
Sexual assault, coercion, harassment, and violence of any kind have no place in a safe and flourishing community.
Please take the training, use available resources, and do your part to create the university we want to be.
Karl Scholz
President