WACO, Texas (October 9, 2020) – The U.S. Department of Education’s Clery Act Compliance/Campus Safety Operations group has finalized its Clery Program Review at Baylor University dating back to 2017.

Baylor’s continued commitment to effectively addressing issues of sexual assault and interpersonal violence, including Title IX and Clery implementation, incorporates building on the key accomplishments and initiatives outlined below. The University has undergone numerous successful reviews of the implementation of 105 recommendations for improvement made by the group who thoroughly investigated our past response – including an external verification initiated by the University to ensure full implementation and an independent review of the implementation of improvements by the Big 12 Conference, which also found the University successful in completing the changes. Additionally, Baylor’s accrediting body, SACSCOC, affirmed Baylor’s progress and accredited the University through 2027. Continued improvement in our processes, policies and support for our students is an ongoing priority of Baylor University.

I am pleased to share with you the good news that Baylor University has received official reaffirmation of its 10-year institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the recognized regional accrediting body in 11 southern states and Latin America for higher education institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees.

I am pleased to report that the Big 12 Conference has completed its Verification Review of Baylor University’s 105 recommendations in response to past reports of sexual assault and interpersonal violence within our campus community and has confirmed all recommendations as complete and implemented.

WACO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2018) – A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will be on campus Sunday, March 11, as the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) seeks IACLEA accreditation—a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence.

We are pleased to announce that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has finalized its review of Baylor University and today officially lifted the University's warning sanction, which was instituted last December.

An external review has found that Baylor University has effectively implemented the 105 Recommendations. From all walks of the University community – students, faculty, staff, senior leadership, the President, and the Board of Regents – the reviewers have seen tremendous effort and engagement that has met or exceeded the tasks set forth in the recommendations.

Today, we are releasing the results of Baylor University’s student-based 2017 Social Climate Survey from the Spring 2017 semester. The study, which focused on harassment, stalking, dating and sexual violence, and overall campus climate, provides a deeper view into the perceptions and experiences of Baylor students affected by those issues.

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep the Baylor Family informed and engaged, we want to take an opportunity to provide a few brief updates following last week’s quarterly Board of Regents meeting.

WACO, Texas (Oct. 20, 2017) – During its annual Homecoming meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents heard updates from Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone on the University’s recent successful accreditation visit, academic strategic planning process and new organizational changes, and celebrated the recipients of the 2017 Baylor Meritorious Achievement Awards.

From October 1-4, 2017, the University hosted a Special Committee on campus related to the warning sanction that the institution received in December 2016.

Mark Childers, associate vice president of public safety and security, discusses the implementation of more than 1,000 security cameras on and around the Baylor campus. Childers described this initiative as another example of the Department of Public Safety’s focus on continuous improvement. “(Public safety) is that intense, a 24/7 strong forward lean,” said Childers. “Always assessing and re-assessing what we’re doing. We can never stop and say, ‘We’ve made it.’”

Last week the Baylor University Board of Regents held its quarterly meeting, which included an orientation for seven new Regents, a new committee structure and implementation of a comprehensive slate of governance reforms aimed at making our University even better.

WACO, Texas (July 21, 2017) – The Baylor University Board of Regents held its first meeting since adopting a slate of best-practice governance reforms in the spring that enhance operations, Board diversity, open communication and constituent representation.

Added security for students, improved response in a medical emergency and a direct line in a crisis situation – all are built in features of Baylor Department of Public Safety’s BU Campus Guardian App.

I leave the office of the president confident that what has been planted this past year will further Baylor’s grand ambitions as a national research university grounded in Christian principles.

For the past 12 months, Baylor University has been intensely focused on substantive improvements to awareness, prevention and response to the needs of those impacted by sexual violence.

I call Waco, Texas, of all places, because there is an agency there known as the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children. According to the website, it began as the Waco Rape Crisis Center in 1976 and has since mushroomed to serve all crime victims, include those of sexual assault.

On April 18, 2017, Baylor University announced the selection of Linda A. Livingstone, PhD, current dean and professor of management at The George Washington University School of Business, to become the institution’s 15th president.

The opportunities for students to connect and develop a sense of belonging at Baylor are on the rise.

On May 11, 2017, the Baylor Board of Regents received a briefing affirming that all 105 recommendations are now structurally complete, with some elements that remain ongoing to sustain this effort. For each recommendation, the infrastructure and foundation are in place, and the University continues to work diligently to integrate implementation efforts across campus.

WACO, Texas (May 12, 2017) – At its regular spring meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents announced structural completion of the 105 recommendations related to the institution’s response to sexual violence and implementation of best-practice governance policies and procedures, and took action to approve new Board members, a $621.7 million operating budget for 2017-2018 and a new joint B.A./M.A. degree in communication studies.

Beginning Summer 2017, Baylor University’s Title IX Office will launch an innovative and growing prevention initiative called, the Green Dot, etc. program.

Increasing student awareness of the support available through the Title IX Office, the effects of sexual violence on survivors and the ways in which bystanders can diffuse violent or potentially violent situations are key priorities of Baylor’s sexual assault awareness and prevention programming.

“Baylor University is committed to safety. We wake up each day focused on how to get better and create an even safer campus,” Wigtil said. “The Baylor Police Department will never become complacent and will continue to evaluate, research and implement new programs to enhance safety on campus.”