Presidential Perspective - April 26, 2018

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

"But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another." – 1 John 1:7

Here are a few noteworthy items to share for this week:

• I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but spring semester finals are right around the corner. Our team with BaylorProud has put together a list of the nine most beautiful study spots on the Baylor campus to help get you through the next couple of weeks. Last fall, the Baylor campus was recognized by Southern Living as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the South. Can you guess the top study spot?

• Today, Baylor and 2U, Inc., a nationally recognized education technology company, announced our new partnership by launching three online graduate degree programs: Education@Baylor, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Learning and Organizational Change; MPH@Baylor, a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in Community Health; and MSW@Baylor, a Master of Social Work (MSW). The online Doctor of Education program will begin in the fall and applications are currently being accepted. This initiative complements our academic strategic plan, Illuminate, which has a significant focus on graduate professional education.

• Baylor's Center for Christian Philosophy and the Institute for Studies of Religion have been awarded a three-year, $2 million research grant from Templeton Religion Trust, which will allow a multidisciplinary team of scholars to study the virtue of accountability and its relation to other human goods, including conscientiousness, empathy, humility, forgiveness and gratitude. Beginning this fall, the research project includes Baylor faculty members Drs. C. Stephen Evans, Byron R. Johnson and Sung Joon Jang.

• Safety is a priority at Baylor, and we are committed to continually assessing and evaluating tools and programs to keep our campus community safe. To better equip you in the event of a threat, Baylor's Department of Public Safety has developed an Active Shooter training that is available in person and online through Canvas for students, faculty, and staff. The training is an easy-to-remember, three-step plan for survival in the event of an active shooter or other act of violence. While it may be difficult to fathom an active shooter incident, we must be proactive about safety to ensure that you and your colleagues are knowledgeable and well-trained on the proper response in an emergency.

• A special note of thanks to our Title IX Office, the Athletics Department and several partnering student organizations for all of their work recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month during April. As the First Gent and I walked across campus on Tuesday evening and saw the teal-colored luminaries and campus skyline, our hearts and prayers went out to the survivors of sexual violence. Every month, every week and every day we must remain vigilant and committed to the education and prevention of and response to sexual and interpersonal violence on our campus and in our communities.

Don't forget that tomorrow – like always – is Spirit Friday, so be sure to fling your green and gold. Here's to a great remainder of the semester!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President