Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,
We’ve received questions about the protocols in place for enforcing this semester’s COVID-19-related rules and how community members can report a concern if they see someone whose behavior is putting others at risk. In particular, students have asked what to do if they observe unsanctioned gatherings and parties occurring off campus.
First, we remind community members of our shared responsibility and commitments; students can find the specific Spring 2021 Community Member Statement of Expectations on the website, which was also reviewed during the required training at the beginning of the semester. This page outlines the individual and organizational sanctions that are implemented for various violations.
If you experience or witness a situation in which members of our community—students, faculty, staff or visitors—are not adhering to these standards, you have the following options:
-
If you can safely address the concern directly with the individual or group, you may do so by reminding them of university standards and our shared responsibility in promoting a healthy, safe and inclusive learning and working environment.
-
If addressing the concern directly is not an option, or if you are not satisfied with the response you receive or the behavior doesn’t stop, you may report the concern by completing the form at http://lehigh.edu/go/covidreporting. While we encourage you to provide your name and contact information with this form, you may also submit this report anonymously. As much detail as you can provide such as addresses, pictures, or other information helps us follow up on these reports appropriately.
-
You may also submit a tip to the Lehigh University Police Department via the HawkWatch app. In the app, you have the ability to submit a concern form as noted above, to text a tip to LUPD Dispatch, and call or email a crime tip. You can also report a crime on the website.
-
For a compilation of all contact and reporting forms, visit Lehigh's Reporting for Safety, Equity and Integrity Concerns page on the website.
We encourage you to report concerns in a timely manner so they can either be addressed and stopped as they are occurring or followed up on to prevent further issues.
Given the current status of active COVID-19 cases in our community, it is critical that we do our part to follow the safety guidelines that are in place. We must all work together to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus and actively encourage one another in this effort.
Sincerely,
Holly Taylor
Assistant Dean of Students/Director
Office of Student Conduct & Community Expectations