© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Herbst Prepares to Hear Student Input on Campus Culture and Safety

Chion Wolf
/
WNPR

As the University of Connecticut responds to a federal discrimination complaint, President Susan Herbst sent a letter to the school community about sexual assault and harassment on campus. 

In a letter circulated Friday afternoon, Herbst reminded students of the school's Sexual Violence Awareness website, and pointed to the establishment of a Task Force on Civility and Campus Culture "to explore all matters related to civil behavior and speech" at UConn. 

"The university needs to hear from our students about your persepctives and experiences," Herbst wrote, adding that an invitation is expected to be sent out early next week, asking for feedback "on our campus culture and safety when it comes to issues of sexual harassment and violence." 

Read the entire letter below.

_______________________________________

To the University Community,

This week there was much discussion about sexual harassment and assault on our campus. Sexual violence is a national issue that affects every college and university campus, and it is one of grave concern. Protecting students from any act of sexual violence is vitally important to our entire community. We are fortunate that UConn has so many dedicated and talented students, staff, and faculty who are working together to prevent sexual harassment and violence in all its forms. We also know that we must routinely assess and reassess all our efforts to prevent sexual assault, to provide services to victims, and to hold perpetrators accountable.

The university needs to hear from our students about your perspectives and experiences. On Monday, you will receive an invitation from the President’s Task Force on Civility and Campus Culture asking for your feedback on our campus culture and safety when it comes to issues of sexual harassment and violence. The task force has been working aggressively throughout the fall semester to explore and prepare recommendations regarding all matters related to civil behavior and speech at UConn, including all forms of sexual harassment and violence. Student input is an essential part of that process.

I also want to take this moment to again remind all of our students, faculty, and staff that there are numerous on- and off-campus resources available to anyone at UConn who has been impacted by sexual violence. Those university-supported resources are contained on our University Sexual Violence website.

We are listening. And together, we will continue to work to ensure the respect, security, and dignity of all members of our community.

Susan Herbst

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.