Administrative actions in response to after-action review

In May 2024, President Susan R. Wente charged a committee of faculty, staff and administrators with conducting an after-action review of the university’s response to the encampment demonstration that occurred from April 30 through May 3. The After-Action Review Committee’s work, including its charge, membership and final report, is available on the Committee website.

After receiving the report, Wente accepted the Committee’s recommendations and charged the University Cabinet with identifying and adopting administrative actions that are responsive to the recommendations and desire for continual improvement. The Committee Co-chairs, Arjun (Raja) Chatterjee and Corey D.B. Walker discussed the report with the Cabinet this week.

“We are committed to engaging in this important work,” Wente said. “Acting on the Committee’s recommendations is one way we will continue to improve how we prepare for and respond to campus demonstrations.”

The following are the Committee’s four recommendations and action items underway or planned for the near future.

Recommendation 1: Adopt a written protocol to guide decision-making on the deployment of law enforcement in the context of campus demonstrations.

Vice President for Campus Life Shea Kidd Brown will identify a key group of operational leaders to develop a holistic protocol aligned with University Policy and the Student Code of Conduct that articulates when police deployment is appropriate. The Police Advisory Board, established in 2009 to include student, staff and faculty representation, will be an important partner in reviewing this work.

Recommendation 2: Adopt policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure clear, consistent, and accurate communications to the community.

In 2021, Wente established the Institutional Messages Committee (IMC) to make recommendations for when and how the University should issue formal statements. Chaired by Vice President for Communications and Chief Communications Officer Brett Eaton, the IMC recently refined and codified its practices as “University Communications Philosophy and Guidelines.” With guidance from the IMC, Eaton will further refine the process of soliciting input on campus-wide messages before making a recommendation to the President.

“The Institutional Messages Committee, with these revised guidelines, can be an improved mechanism to deliver clearer, more informative messages,” said Provost Michele Gillespie, an IMC member. “Thousands of people, each with their own needs and perspectives, receive the emails sent by the University. Accounting for various points of view during the drafting and review process will help us better communicate as a university.”

This fall, Eaton will recruit a Senior Advisor for Crisis Communications and Issues Management to take a more proactive approach to preparing for and responding to University issues.

Recommendation 3: Adopt reasonable time, place, and manner guidelines applicable to campus-based protests and demonstrations.

Vice President Brian White will review the University Policy on Demonstrations, Chalking and Posting using the Committee’s report as a lens to identify any needed revisions. In addition, the University has and will continue to engage various groups in training sessions related to implementing the policy.

Recommendation 4: Develop a comprehensive after-action review policy for the University to formalize and institutionalize the body that conducts after-action reviews and the process and procedure for undertaking such reviews.

The University’s Emergency Services team led by Chauncey Bowers will refine and communicate existing after-action processes and procedures. A committee will be formed to draft an after-action review policy, including scenarios that require after-action reviews and how they will be conducted. A search is underway for an assistant emergency manager who will aid the efforts of the University Emergency Manager in coordinating after-action reviews.

While not a recommendation, the After-Action Review Committee reported hearing that “the demonstration and encampment became a visible expression of the experiences of underrepresented students at Wake Forest.” José Villalba, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, said: “The results of this After-Action Review when considered alongside the forthcoming Campus Climate Survey results and report, will provide multiple paths to improve and sustain a sense of belonging and inclusion. Our senior leadership is committed to supporting these efforts.”