Dear students and scholars,
I am sending this email in response to the concerns that a number of Chinese students have brought up regarding the message that went to the Chinese student and scholar community on Wednesday evening. I am sorry it is a bit long, but it is very important to me to respond to the concerns and frustration that have been expressed. Thank you to the CSSAUU officials for kindly allowing me access to the CSSAUU listserv to communicate this message.
We sincerely value the feedback you are providing including feedback where we may have done something that caused hurt or misconceptions. Please know that this is not our intention, nor is it the university’s intention to hide anything. We are trying to balance privacy and respect for Xiaolin and her family with responding to the concern, fear, and anger the situation is causing among the community. If we did not balance this well, then your feedback is critical to helping us improve.
I would like to share some information that I hope will assist everyone in understanding the university’s actions.
With regard to the message sent to the Chinese student and scholar community, as a matter of normal protocol, the university does not send campus-wide messages in the event of a student death. This is our policy in order to respect the privacy of the student and their family and friends during a very difficult time. However, we do send messages to specific groups who have expressed concern or who we assume to be strongly impacted. In this situation, we sent, and continue to send, information about Xiaolin’s death to groups who have expressed concerns and questions, including our Chinese student and scholar community.
Based on feedback from some of our Chinese students, however, it appears this was perceived as minimizing the potential impact on the entire international community. I sincerely apologize for any hurt or anger this may have caused anyone- that was never our intention. This situation is a very sad and difficult one, and we do know that this is not only impacting Chinese students and scholars. I know this personally, as I and several others in my office worked with and knew Xiaolin.
In response to the request received from several individuals, this morning we sent the message the Chinese community received to all international students on F and J visas (the ISSS population we have access to), so that everyone has the same information. Information has also been shared with other impacted groups, such as Xiaolin’s department.
I understand there is also concern in the local community and nationally that the university is not taking any action regarding the allegations involving the situation in Xiaolin’s lab. This is not accurate. The university takes the concerns about Xiaolin’s experiences very seriously, and is investigating following our normal procedure. Under U.S. legal protocols and university policy, the university is required to allow due process for everyone involved, and is not able to share specific details of an investigation. This is not because the university is hiding or ignoring the situation, but rather because the U.S. legal system takes the concept of proving allegations before taking action very seriously. I know this can be frustrating, but we will share information as much as we are allowed to under university policy, and we are always open to hearing concerns.
I will send a separate email shortly with more information about the university process for responding to complaints under the Faculty Code.
Thank you for your time in reading this email. Again, I hope this information helps aid understanding and open communication. It is my sincere hope that we can come together and heal from this tragedy, and move forward with steps to prevent similar situations in the future.
With very best regards,
Chalimar Swain
Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Office for Global Engagement, University of Utah
Dear students and scholars,
As promised, this email is to specifically address questions regarding the university’s actions in response to the concerns about Xiaolin’s situation. Thank you for raising these concerns. The University takes fairness and equal treatment very seriously, and has processes in a place to investigate allegations regarding violations of faculty code, sexual harassment and misconduct, and other concerns.
If you would like to learn more about the university’s Faculty Code of Conduct, including faculty obligations and responsibilities, and the process to investigate alleged violations, please click here.
Please be aware that the university is required to protect the privacy and confidentiality ongoing investigations. However, we do understand the community’s concern that investigations occur when needed and are fair, impartial, and have a conclusion. As I discussed with CSSAUU leadership today, I will work with the university administration, CSSAUU and other impacted communities to address questions and concerns, and provide as much information as legally permitted. Please also be aware that investigations often take several weeks or months, because the university takes the responsibility to conduct a fair, impartial, and evidence-based investigation seriously.
The university is committed to following up on all allegations but must have specific examples or evidence to move forward. We would like to request your assistance in providing any specific facts you have.
If you believe that you have evidence that a member of the university community engaged in sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, please contact the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action immediately. They can be reached at 801-581-8365, or via their website. If you are unsure about contacting them and would like to know more about this process, please contact me directly at c.swain@utah.edu. I have worked with many students to support and assist them with sharing information and complaints and I understand sometimes it is difficult to feel comfortable doing this.
If you have other information about the Xiaolin’s specific situation, please contact Department Chair Dr. Ben Bromley at bromley@physics.utah.edu or Graduate School Dean Dr. David Kieda at dave.kieda@utah.edu or 801-581-6926.
If you have concerns about treatment of other graduate or undergraduate students, you are welcome to contact me directly as well. You may also contact Dean Dave Kieda in the Graduate School. Dr. Kieda’s information is above and I can be reached by email at c.swain@utah.edu or by calling our front desk at 801-581-8876 to request an appointment with me.
Again, we thank you for your concern, your feedback, and your patience as we work through this difficult situation together.
Very respectfully,
Chalimar Swain
Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Office for Global Engagement, University of Utah