Hubbell

Dean Kent Hubbell, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, issued the following statement, with the full support of his staff, regarding the incident that took place early Sunday morning in front of the Sigma Pi fraternity at 730 University Ave.:

On behalf of all my colleagues in the Office of the Dean of Students, I wish to convey our deep dismay and outrage with the incident that occurred at the Sigma Pi fraternity house this past weekend. We believe that Cornell must be a community that provides a true home for each and every person who studies and works here -- one in which all can enjoy a safe, welcoming environment. This incident flies in face of all that we value as a community, and we trust that appropriate action will be taken against those found to be responsible. And, as Cornell staff, we want to make clear that we strongly support those most affected by this past weekend's events.

A full criminal investigation of this off-campus incident is being led by the Ithaca Police Department, with the full cooperation and assistance of the Cornell University Police. Sigma Pi fraternity has been placed on interim suspension by Cornell, temporarily halting all fraternity activities, pending the outcome of the police investigation. As of this afternoon, the executive offices of Sigma Pi International Fraternity have also placed the chapter on suspended status until it has completed its own investigation.

The outcome of the police investigation will help determine the future course of action taken by the University, and by the Greek community whose organizations have also issued statements condemning the incident. We also will be sure that the ongoing discussions of necessary changes within the Greek community address the destructive behaviors exhibited this past weekend.

It is important that all members of our community, and especially those of the Greek community, examine how we, as individuals and groups, may have contributed to a climate that would allow an incident like this to occur. We all must take responsibility -- including caring for ourselves and other members of our community -- for acting accordingly.

In order to engage our community in addressing and responding to this issue, discussions and forums will take place on Wednesday, May 9. We urge the entire community to take part:

• An open community forum to discuss the issues raised is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. in G10 Biotech. Sheri Notaro, associate dean for inclusion and professional development, will moderate a panel that includes Susan Murphy, vice president for student and academic services, myself, Kathy Zoner, chief of Cornell Police, and Renee Alexander, associate dean of students and director of intercultural programs.

Other events on Wednesday include:

• Perseverance in Spite of Injustice, with Dr. Keba Rogers, counselor with Gannett Clinic Community Consultation and Intervention, 11:30 a.m., 626 Thurston
• Beyond Black and White: Effects in Other Communities, with Candace Chow, assistant director, Cornell Student Alumni Mentoring Program, 1 p.m., 626 Thurston
• Responding as an Aspiring White Ally, with Matthew Carcella, director, LGBT Resource Center, 2 p.m., 626 Thurston
• A Truly Inclusive Greek Community, with Travis Apgar, associate dean of students for fraternity, sorority, and independent living, 3 p.m., 626 Thurston.
• Understanding Campus Climate, with Patricia Nguyen, director, Asian and Asian-American Center, 4 p.m., 626 Thurston.
• Academic Persistence in the Face of Discrimination, with Nicolle Brazil, MA-NYS Opportunity Programs counselor, 3 p.m., 200 CCC

As the academic year comes to a close, we must remain vigilant in respecting the rights of others to enjoy themselves free of bias and intimidation even while we enjoy the company and comradeship of our friends and colleagues with whom we have much in common. Furthermore, we must embrace the special opportunities we have at Cornell to share in a socially, culturally and racially diverse community.

We are gratified by the outpouring of support and concern about this incident from student groups across campus. As staff who serve the student body and all others on campus, and help provide support for on-campus and off-campus residents, we are engaged in ongoing discussions about our roles and how we can do more, and we remain available and on alert to help all those who need our assistance.

Among the additional steps my office is planning in the short run, include:

• Redoubling our efforts in providing ongoing diversity training for student employees and professional development opportunities around diversity for staff inside the Dean of Students Office
• Examining staffing levels and program offerings to be sure we have adequate resources and programs to provide support for our community, such as the highly successful Intercultural Center at 626 Thurston Ave.
• Examining creative ways to recruit non-staff populations in the work that needs to be done

The engagement of our entire community, each one of us, is critical to breaking down the barriers, bridging our differences, and providing a bulwark against those who would disrupt all that we value. May we go forward to create a community that is second to none in its ability to afford all of its members a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to enjoy the company of friends and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.