Dear USD Students,

During last week’s Mass of the Holy Spirit, His Eminence, Cardinal Robert McElroy, delivered a beautiful homily in which he emphasized the significance of this time in your lives as well as the importance of hope, truth, and compassion. Now that the fall semester is well underway, my hope is that you will embrace Cardinal McElroy’s message, recognizing this as a liminal moment in your life as well as an opportunity to take advantage of all that USD has to offer.

While hope should always guide our attitudes about new opportunities, so should it influence how we embrace challenges. My hope for our university community is that we act in a forthright manner and with compassion when faced with issues that challenge the well-being of any member of our campus.

As many of you are aware, this semester we were shocked and deeply concerned regarding allegations of bullying or hazing on our Torero football team. I am grateful for the quick action of Head Coach Brandon Moore and Athletic Director Bill McGillis in response to these allegations and commend those who bravely stepped forward to share their experiences. Team sanctions and penalties were enforced immediately, and the matter was also referred to the San Diego Police Department. In addition, we have launched an independent inquiry to determine if there were violations of the student code of conduct or infringements upon the individual rights of any member of our student body.

I bring this matter to your attention because I wish to be clear that any form of bullying, hazing, or other actions that threaten any member of our community have no place here at USD. Such behavior will not be tolerated, and zero tolerance means zero tolerance. Every member of our community has chosen to be here to learn, to share and to build an environment of hope, trust, and compassion where all members have a clear sense of belonging.

To ensure that we accomplish that sense of belonging, I encourage all members of our student body to feel comfortable reporting any actions that may cause them or others personal, physical, or emotional harm. This includes reporting any knowledge you may have of the current allegations of hazing on the Torero football team.

As Vice President Charlotte Johnson wrote in her message to you last week, it is important to familiarize yourself with the resources available at USD:

• Reports of misconduct should be made to the Department of Public Safety (publicssafety@sandiego.edu) or the Office of Ethical Development and Restorative Practices (studentconduct@sandiego.edu).
• The Counseling Center is available for confidential individual counseling and assessments through mywellness.sandiego.edu or by phone at (619) 260-4655.
• Timely Care is confidential and available 24/7 and can be accessed by downloading a free app. It’s easily accessible and just right for a quick check-in with someone who can help you de-stress.
• University Ministry is also here to support the mental and emotional challenges by contacting (619) 260-4735 or by visiting Founders Hall 20.
• CARE Advocates (Campus Assault Resources and Education) are available 24/7 to support students impacted by relationship or sexual violence and can be reached by calling USD Public Safety at (619) 260-2222.

The University of San Diego’s mission, vision, and values are our north star and guide us to foster peace, work for justice, and lead with love. It is incumbent upon each of us to commit ourselves to honoring human dignity and respect, and to making this the community we aspire to be.

Peace,

James T. Harris III, DEd
President