|
Dear IMSA Community,
At IMSA, we believe that all people have equal intrinsic worth, that all people have choices and are responsible for their actions, and that belonging to a community requires commitment to the common good. These institutional beliefs are not simply ideals we aspire to; they are foundational expectations that guide how we treat one another and the responsibilities we share as members of the IMSA community.
Recently, students alerted IMSA to newly created social media accounts that target IMSA students, faculty, and staff with hateful, mean-spirited, threatening, and hurtful content. These actions are fundamentally inconsistent with who we are as a community and the values we expect every member to uphold.
IMSA takes online misconduct seriously and is taking appropriate steps to address this harmful activity. These actions include filing a report with the Aurora Police Department to help identify those responsible and determine whether any laws have been violated. Students whose online conduct violates Academy policies will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with IMSA's Student Discipline Policy, up to and including dismissal from the Academy. Any allegations involving faculty and staff are also being reviewed through established Academy processes.
While following these accounts is not the same as creating or contributing harmful content, students should recognize that liking, sharing, or amplifying such posts can deepen the hurt experienced by others. Our online choices matter, including what we choose to publicly encourage or endorse.
Beyond accountability, our greatest concern is the well-being of those who have been hurt and the impact these actions have on our entire community.
Behind every hurtful post is a person. A student who may now question their friendships, their sense of belonging, or whether they are truly accepted by their peers. A faculty or staff member who has devoted their professional life to nurturing the extraordinary talents and potential of IMSA students, only to become the target of personal attacks.
Being part of the IMSA community is both a privilege and a responsibility. IMSA is an academic program of choice, and that choice is mutual. Students choose to attend IMSA, and in turn, the Academy expects every student to uphold the values and standards that define our community. Academic excellence cannot come at the expense of human dignity. Addressing this situation requires both accountability and care. We ask families to reinforce these expectations with their students, discuss the consequences of online behavior, and encourage them to speak up when they witness conduct that harms others.
If you or your student have information about individuals creating or contributing harmful content to these accounts, please report it here so the Academy can review and address these concerns appropriately.
To the students, faculty, and staff who have been targeted or affected, please know that you are not alone and that your well-being matters. IMSA is committed to supporting those impacted, providing a safe space to share concerns, and ensuring access to appropriate resources. Students are encouraged to reach out to Student Affairs or counseling professionals (counseling@imsa.edu), while faculty and staff may seek support through their supervisors, Human Resources, or available employee resources. No member of our community should feel they must navigate these experiences alone.
Thank you for your partnership in upholding the values that define IMSA and ensuring our Academy remains a community where every person is valued, respected, and able to belong.
Sincerely,
IMSA Leadership
| 
