Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we begin the academic year today, I take this opportunity to share the work completed over the summer to support a productive and harmonious campus environment. During the break, we convened diverse workgroups comprising key campus stakeholders to affirm our policies surrounding campus posting and time, place, and manner. LMU reviews its policies annually. This summer our efforts were particularly reflective and forward-thinking, guided by our core commitments, and aligned with LMU’s values — fostering a safe and inclusive campus, upholding the community’s right to free expression, and advancing the continuity of our educational endeavors.
The workgroups carefully considered insights gained from our experiences over the past year, as well as best practices at other institutions of higher education. Our university is home to a distinguished faculty and a passionate community dedicated to advocacy and engagement. We recognize the importance of interacting with one another in constructive and respectful ways, and our clarified policies position us to cultivate a cooperative and inclusive campus environment.
LMU is committed to free inquiry and expression, which are fundamental to our Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount mission of encouraging learning, educating the whole person, and promoting justice. Every student should be afforded the opportunity to articulate their views and engage respectfully with differing opinions. This commitment can sometimes create challenges, but it remains essential to support the vibrant, intellectual environment we strive to cultivate.
Much of the content within these clarified policies has been part of long-standing practice at LMU. However, by unifying everything under comprehensive policies, we aim to provide greater clarity and accessibility for our student body and campus community. Key updates include:
Updated Existing Policies
- Campus Posting Policy: We have enhanced our guidelines to balance free expression with campus safety. This policy will regulate the time, place, and manner of postings to align with LMU’s values.
- Time, Place, and Manner Policy for Students: This policy reaffirms our commitment to free speech and expression while establishing content-neutral guidelines for demonstrations and protests, to ensure they do not disrupt university operations or infringe on others’ rights.
We are committed to the clear dissemination of our policies to ensure they are easily accessible and understood by all. This includes communication with the Center for Faculty Development, along with an annual letter the Dean of Students shared with our student body today. Additionally, we will continue to communicate and create awareness about our policies during orientation classes, student group training, and partnerships with various faculty and staff.
Community Engagement and Education
In light of the upcoming presidential elections, we are implementing strategies to enhance community engagement around the democratic process and promote respectful discourse. These strategies include providing educational resources on civic engagement and opportunities for students to discuss important social and political issues. We aim to foster critical thinking and the ability to navigate diverse perspectives while engaging in civil discourse. We want all members of the LMU community to be well-informed and prepared to participate actively and respectfully in the electoral process.
New Initiatives
- Associate Vice President for Student Success and Belonging: We are pleased to announce the creation of the new role of associate vice president (AVP) for Student Success and Belonging. This role will enhance leadership in Ethnic and Intercultural Services and Student Employment Services, facilitate intercultural dialogue, and advance initiatives like LMU Restore (restorative practices and conflict engagement) and Dialogue across Differences. The AVP will focus on fostering an inclusive environment, promoting student success, and supporting restorative practices for students. This addition is a significant step forward in our mission to educate the whole person and cultivate a diverse, respectful community where individuals feel valued.
- Conversations with the Dean of Students: We want students to feel heard and supported. As we roll out our enhanced student policies, we plan to engage with students and student groups to create spaces for meaningful dialogue. Dean Mangione will partner with campus colleagues to facilitate these efforts. Our goal is to share our resources and support for students, while also creating spaces where they can express their concerns and experiences.
LMU is a place where students can thrive, feel respected, and valued. By aligning on these guidelines and introducing new resources, we aim to support our community in navigating complex and sensitive issues while protecting the rights and safety of all. We look forward to sharing more details about our new initiatives in the coming weeks.
As our community looks forward to an upcoming year of courageous dialogue, I thank you for your continued dedication to LMU’s mission and values.
Warm regards,
Kawanna Leggett, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
studentaffairs@lmu.edu
Instagram: @drkawannalmu
X: @SVP_DrK