To The Editor: The week before spring break, I wrote a letter to the Guilfordian regarding the progress that Campus Life (particularly Residence Life in coordination with the Conflict Resolution Resource Center) is making regarding programming queries and community standards in the residence halls. In that letter, I referenced the September 2003 Pimp and Ho Party which was funded by residence hall council funds and planned by R.A.s. After continued conversation with students, faculty and staff about this event (as well as Residence Life programming as a whole), I feel that it is important for me to clarify that, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Campus Life staff to be cognizant of the quality and type of programming occurring in the residence halls (and other places on campus) and to raise questions and concerns about programs that might have a negative impact on the community or not be in keeping with the college’s mission and core values. I want to take this opportunity to formally apologize to those in the community who were offended by the party and recognize that it has had lasting effects on our community.

In order to continue to build trust in the community and to make the work of student development (outside the classroom) clearer, the Campus Life Staff (and its individual departments of Residence Life, Public Safety, Gender Issues/Wellness Education, Student Conduct, Counseling, Student Health, Student Involvement, and the First Year Program) are working to develop mission statements to guide our programming and our interaction with students, and to ensure that policies and procedures are in keeping with the college’s mission and core values. We are utilizing the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher Education as an assessment model. The CAS model presumes that the student must be considered as a whole person and that the student’s total environment is educational and must be used to achieve full development. The assessment is grounded in diversity and multiculturalism; organization, leadership and human resources; health engendering environments and ethical considerations. In addition, members of the Campus Life staff are working to develop and implement a program of Community Standards in the residence halls. With Sandy Bowles’ leadership, and in conjunction with the Conflict Resolution Resource Center (CRRC), a group of students and staff have developed a set of queries to engage students in discerning the appropriateness of programs in the planning process. I encourage interested students to contact Sandy ([email protected]) to become involved in this exciting opportunity.

As always, the Office for Campus Life invites student, faculty and staff response to our work. I will be holding open office hours Tuesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. in Boren Lounge. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Anne Lundquist
-Dean for Campus Life