October 12, 2021

Dear UD Community,

The past few days have been difficult for the University of Delaware community. We are writing to acknowledge the harm inflicted, denounce the violence reported, and call for our community to come together and advance our goals of a campus climate free of all violence, including gender-based violence and violence against women.

We know students want details about the recently reported act of gender-based violence. Please know that the situation sparked immediate response by the University. Our Code of Conduct allows the University to separate students from UD upon an arrest for a violent felony. As such, the University has followed this policy. In regards to the fraternal affiliation of the arrested individual, Kappa Delta Rho fraternity immediately reported the incident to the University, filed a report with the Office of Equity & Inclusion and initiated its own disciplinary process. Tonight the fraternity permanently revoked his membership. At this point, we do not have information that connects the fraternity with this specific incident. If information is discovered or presented that alleges the fraternity’s involvement, we will initiate the Student Conduct Process.

This recent, heinous incident of domestic violence reminds everyone in our community that we must be vigilant to uphold our values so that all can be safe here and pursue an education without the unjust burden of intimidation or threat to one’s physical and emotional wellbeing and safety. We know that many victims and survivors suffer in silence and that incidents like these serve to re-traumatize those who have experienced victimization. We invest time and energy in ensuring that many support resources exist at the University in order to aid all Blue Hens on a path of healing and to promote a well campus.

All members of our UD community have access to 24-hour support and trained professionals through Sexual Offense Support (SOS). To contact an SOS Victim Advocate, call the UD Helpline 24/7/365 at 302-831-1001 and press 1. The clinician will check to make sure you are safe, then take a first name and phone number and have an advocate call you back within 10 minutes.

Students can connect with the Center for Counseling and Student Development located in the Warner Wellbeing Center. The center is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. They can be reached by phone at 302-831-2141.

Any UD student feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or otherwise in need of confidential support may contact the UD Helpline at 302-831-1001 at any time. Students can also text “UDTEXT”, or “STEVE” for students of color, to the phone number 741741 to connect with confidential text message support.

The University of Delaware encourages anyone who experiences or observes sexual misconduct, gender-based violence, domestic violence, discrimination or sexual harassment to report the incident to the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Sincerely,

José-Luis Riera, Vice President, Student Life
Fatimah Conley, Interim Chief Diversity Officer