Incident response & resources

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What can I do?

In answer to the question, “What can I do?” here are three proven activities (of varying time demands) you might consider implementing.

Resources for faculty and students follow.

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Activity one

Acknowledge that this incident took place.

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• Take a few minutes at the beginning or end of class to acknowledge that such incidents impact us all, but in different ways.
• Encourage your students to seek support from each other, campus resources, and family and friends.

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Activity two

Facilitate a brief Write-Pair-Share exercise.

• Allocate about 3 minutes for students to write individually. Writing prompts might be, “What has the impact of this incident been on you? What do you think the impact has been on your peers?”
• Ask students to pick a discussion partner, and then ask each person to share what they want to share for about 3 minutes. Cue for active listening.

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Activity three

Ask students to join you in a moment or two of reflection.

• You might first consider a question such as, “What can each of us do to make Cornell a more welcoming and affirming campus?”
• Next, have students discuss what they would like to do in the context of your course going forward to support each other’s sense of safety, trust, and belonging.

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Selected resources for faculty

• Center for Teaching Innovation, (607) 255-7224, email us about confidential, formative consultations and teaching support 
• Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, (607) 255-2673, free confidential counseling and support 
• Office of Faculty Development & Diversity, (607) 255-6867, email OFDD for training, support, and mentoring 
• The Intergroup Dialogue Project, (607)-255-5747, email IDP about facilitating dialogue across difference (see offerings and resources on their webpage).
• Information about Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell and Mental Health at Cornell: Resources for student and campus wellbeing.

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Selected resources for students

• Cornell Health 24/7, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) (607-255-5155)
• Ithaca’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service 24/7, call (800-273-8255) or text (607-269-4500)
• Mental Health at Cornell
• Dean of Students Office
• Learning Strategies Center
• Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives
• Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (Graduate students)

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