Contact Information

Provost's Office, College at Florham 973-443-8082

Provost's Office, Metropolitan Campus 201-692-2460

Prospective students and their parents please contact
Bernetta Millonde, bernetta_c_millonde@fdu.edu, 800-338-8803

Press inquiries: Art Petrosemolo (petrosem@fdu.edu or 201-692-7030)

College at Florham Incident Updates

MOVING FORWARD – APRIL 21, 2004

Dear Colleagues,

Since the April 4 disturbance at the College at Florham, many of us have experienced a wide range of emotions. Obviously, we were distressed by the incident and extremely concerned for the safety of our students and guests.

We have been working closely with the local authorities as they move forward with the investigation. As those who know from reading our updates, there has been progress in the investigation and arrests have been made. We applaud and thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Florham Park Police Department for all their efforts. Law enforcement officials have responded swiftly, rigorously and professionally. We are very fortunate to have their support.

On Sunday morning following the incident, I convened our emergency management team, and we focused first and foremost on campus security and information flow. We coordinated a briefing of all Resident Assistants and held campus-wide student meetings. Student Affairs staff members responded to provide counseling and other services for our students. Anxious to keep the community informed, we released a series of detailed updates to prevent rumors from spreading.

I also directed that we carefully examine all aspects of our residence life and security policies in light of what happened. One action step was limiting access to the College at Florham to two entrance points that are staffed by personnel. I promise to keep you informed of other changes resulting from these reviews.

While anxieties and worries troubled us in the immediate aftermath, this crisis did not divide our community. Instead, we have come together in ways that should make us all proud. I have been grateful for the outpouring of support and devotion expressed. In fact, the first person that I saw on campus that Sunday morning was a counselor who came to support the students. Faculty, administrators and staff undertook various tasks, from offering counseling to enhancing security arrangements, from handling media requests to answering concerns from parents. We saw many people represent our University with professionalism and compassion. Everyone pitched in and provided the support needed to help students cope with the event and the aftermath. Because of such efforts, our environment soon returned to normal.

Above all, we owe a debt of gratitude to our students from both campuses. They have shown exceptional maturity and have offered valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. The many students I talked to have been appreciative of our response and understand the isolated nature of this incident. They and their family members have been assured by us that we will re-examine all aspects of our policies, we will consider their suggestions to improve the quality of campus life, and we will take whatever steps necessary to make what have been historically safe campuses even more secure.

In this spirit, marked by unity and resolve, we move forward. Thank you again for all you do to make Fairleigh Dickinson University a truly special place to live, work and study.

Sincerely,
Michael Adams, President

P.S. On a further personal note, I was deeply moved by the many expressions of sympathy and support that I received during my recent medical emergency. I am happy to report that I am fully recovered, and look forward to once again serving this community in good health. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.

FDU · campuses · students · maps · help