Addressing a Serious Matter

Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon University Community:

We write today regarding a matter of serious import to our community. Yesterday, a website published a story reporting that a member of our Board of Trustees resigned his trusteeship following a report of sexual misconduct and the opening of an investigation by the university. 

CMU takes all reports of sexual harassment and misconduct seriously, and vigorously investigates all such claims in accordance with our Title IX policies and procedures, and applicable law. The university also engages expert outside counsel as necessary. Pursuant to our policies and procedures, the university generally does not comment publicly on reports or investigations of reports of sexual misconduct. This confidentiality is critical to creating an environment in which members of the community feel safe to come forward and believe that all involved will be treated fairly and respectfully. 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the university’s leadership, we affirm our commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all members of the CMU community, including one that is free from sex- or gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. We are inspired by the courage of those who come forward to share their experiences of discrimination, including accounts related to sexual harassment and misconduct. We have witnessed the empathy and compassion of the staff in the Title IX Office and other colleagues who work on these sensitive matters. We hope that all members of our community have confidence that their reports and stories will be handled with the utmost care and respect. We invite you to visit the university’s Office of Title IX Initiatives website to learn about the university’s policies, Title IX resources, information on how to report and options for resolution. 

We stand against sexual harassment and misconduct in all its forms and continue our efforts to build a safer and more respectful campus community. Thank you for your efforts and support as we nurture a culture in which everyone at CMU can live, learn and work in an inclusive and equitable environment. 

Sincerely, 

David A. Coulter
Chair, Board of Trustees

Farnam Jahanian
President
Henry L. Hillman President’s Chair