President Hatch: A message about CARE

November 2, 2016

This message was emailed from President Hatch to faculty and staff on Nov. 2.  A similar message was emailed to all students.

At Wake Forest University the Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team is a vital resource for all students, faculty, and staff in the community.  The CARE Team is available for any community member who is worried about a student, colleague, or any individual that is connected with our campus.  Knowing more about the role of this important resource is a good way to help support the wellbeing of all members in our community.

Our CARE Team assesses, responds to, and provides ongoing evaluation of disruptive, troubling, or threatening behaviors brought to the attention of the team. The CARE Team’s actions are focused on connecting people in need of help with support services. As a result of these connections, individuals are more likely to find themselves feeling better about their work and relationships and more aware of the resources and personal support available to them.

Campus safety and personal wellbeing remain core values at Wake Forest, and you play an important role in bringing this commitment to fruition.  Early identification and communication of behaviors of concern is vital to maintaining the health of our community.

I encourage each of you to listen to your students and colleagues and pay attention to those around you. We want Wake Forest to be a welcoming and supportive community – a place in which we all feel comfortable expressing care and concern for each other.

If you become aware of disruptive or threatening behaviors, or are concerned about someone affiliated with the university, I ask that you contact any CARE Team member office or send a message to care@wfu.edu. Please note that if you are concerned about the possibility of imminent violence, you should immediately contact University Police (911 from a University land line or 336-758-5911 from a cell phone). Or, you may call the Winston-Salem Police Department (911 from a cell phone or off-campus land line).

Once contacted, our CARE Team acts discreetly to assess the reported behavior(s) and provide an appropriate level of support. For more information about the CARE Team, including contact information, team composition, and descriptions of behaviors of concern, please visit http://careteam.wfu.edu.

Thank you for your assistance in assuring that our campus remains a safe place for all members of the community to live, learn, and work together in the spirit of Pro Humanitate.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President