Dear Members of the Harvard Community,
The last several weeks have been difficult and challenging for our community. The conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to raise anxiety, fear, and concern. We’ve seen an increase in hateful and reckless rhetoric. We’ve seen individuals within our community targeted by acts of harassment and intimidation. I want to assure you that we do not condone and will not ignore acts of harassment or intimidation, or threats of violence. We take seriously the safety and wellbeing of every member of our community.
This week, we launched a new Harvard support and resources website with information for any community member who is struggling or in need of support. These resources include contact information for assistance if your physical safety is threatened, you are targeted by online harassment, or you need support for your mental health and wellbeing. It also has information on other support resources and services and guidance for faculty and staff seeking assistance for themselves or for students or other community members.
Among these resources is a new guide to “Protecting Against Online Abuse and Harassment.” This guide is a resource for any community member who may have been identified and targeted by online abuse, harassment or intimidation. It helps identify different forms of online harassment and offers steps and advice on protecting against it, as well as, for example, templates for “Take Down Requests.” Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) also offers guidance on other electronic threats.
The University also has community conduct policies and processes in place for reporting acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or other acts of hate.
Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) has increased its security presence on campus and continues to monitor online activity for the potential of any specific threat to the campus community or individuals on campus.
In addition to the resources above, contact HUPD immediately at 617-495-1212 if your physical safety is threatened at any time or if you receive an email that contains a physical threat to your life, safety, or property.
Within each of Harvard’s Schools, we continue to put in place and raise awareness of local resources for community members. For students, we encourage you to be in touch with your School’s Office of Student Affairs and Student Services to connect with additional support, including for assistance in times of crisis. Additionally, the 24/7 CAMHS Cares Line (617-495-2042) and TimelyCare offer mental health support. Harvard Human Resources offers additional wellbeing supports for faculty and staff through its Work/Life programs and Employee Assistance Program.
For those who may be feeling isolated or are looking for opportunities to connect with others, the Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEDIB) continues to offer spaces for directly impacted communities and individuals in the coming weeks.
We are committed to the wellbeing of every community member during this challenging time. If you need support or are facing a crisis situation, reach out to a trusted friend or colleague, or faculty or staff member, and connect with resources that are in place to help you.
Sincerely,
Meredith Weenick
Executive Vice President