Presidential Perspective - January 26, 2023

Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

In light of some recent crimes that have occurred off campus, I want to reassure you that Baylor takes the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and visitors very seriously. Our IACLEA-accredited Baylor Police Department (BUPD) actively protects, serves and patrols campus and the surrounding area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our Baylor Department of Public Safety, which includes BUPD, has developed a strong working partnership with law enforcement agencies from Waco PD to the FBI to ensure we are protecting the Baylor community and building an environment in which our students, faculty, staff and visitors can thrive.

Our additional security measures include:

• Nearly 1,800 cameras that monitor building entrances, parking garages and other public areas.
• LED lights in all campus parking garages that also enhance security camera clarity at night.
• Multiple ways for students to contact BUPD immediately at 254-710-2222, 9-1-1 or through 81 emergency call boxes and 123 emergency telephones across campus that can initiate emergency response to that location.
• Direct mobile safety connection with BUPD through the BU Campus Guardian smartphone app, the nation’s No. 1 campus safety app.
• The multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system to alert campus of an emergency or threat.

We continue to strongly encourage students, faculty and staff to be aware and cautious of their surroundings while on or off campus. It’s important that if you see something, say something by calling BUPD. If an incident occurs, as soon as it’s safe to do so, call 9-1-1. Baylor DPS, including BUPD, can’t always stop bad things from happening, but our commitment is to stay in front of issues and work 24/7 to keep our communities safe.

Some campus updates for this week:

• FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE: If you haven’t gotten your flu shot for this season, it’s not too late. Baylor Health Services will host a flu vaccination clinic for students, faculty and staff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Wednesday in the CUB area on the first floor of the SUB. Appointments for vaccinations can be made in advance through the Health Portal on the Health Center website, and walk-ins are welcome as well. Please consider getting your flu shot to help keep our campus healthy!


• AUTISM RESEARCH GRANT: Jessica Akers, Ph.D., assistant professor of educational psychology, has received a $893,409 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop an innovative treatment model for children with autism that includes their siblings. “Sibling SUCCESS: Supporting Unique Collaborative Care to Encourage Shared Success” invites the siblings of children with autism to collaborate and participate as a vital member of the intervention team while also meeting other siblings who share the same experiences. Over the next three years, Akers and her team will develop a socially valid service model for promoting this new collaboration that addresses the importance of the sibling relationship.


• SHOWCASING BAYLOR: Last weekend we hosted more than 500 high-achieving high school seniors and their families for one of our most prestigious scholarship events, Invitation to Excellence. After visiting with families who traveled from across the country, I was encouraged to see how excited they are to consider Baylor among their list of impressive college choices. The weekend was a resounding success as the Baylor Family, including faculty, staff and current students, came together to showcase the best that our campus community has to offer. Wish us luck as we do it all over again next weekend for the best and brightest of Baylor Class of 2027!


• THEATRE NYC PREVIEW: One of the great joys about being part of a University community is attending as many events as I can, from athletic contests and academic lectures to music and theatre performances. Our remarkably talented Baylor Theatre seniors will soon have an invaluable opportunity to take their Senior Showcase to New York City, where they will put their talents and abilities on display for casting directors, agents and others; take Master Classes from professional actors and directors; connect with entertainment industry experts; and build relationships with Baylor Theatre alumni in the Big Apple. They will give a sneak peek of those NYC performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Theatre 11 in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center. More details can be found on Baylor Theatre’s Facebook page.


• SAVE THE DATE: The annual Spring Faculty Meeting hosted by Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., is scheduled for Tuesday Feb. 21, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. University staff will also be invited. Look for a Zoom link in your email the day prior to the meeting.

Wow … the spring semester sure got busy quick! See you at the Ferrell Center for Saturday’s men’s basketball game against Arkansas in the Big 12-SEC Challenge.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Study Abroad provides an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zones and immerse into another culture for an incredible, lifelong learning experience. The Study Abroad application process is in full swing already this semester.