Shenkars comment regarding the ongoing investigation

Last Thursday, we were informed of a serious and complex incident that is being investigated by the Israeli Police. The Shenkar community and Shenkar Engineers are bound together during this very serious crisis in pain and outrage for the students that were affected by these incidents, either directly or indirectly. 

 

Shenkar College represents a safe and protected home, tolerant and equal for the entire Shenkar community. These principles represent the heart and soul of the the values of the college and shape its' activities, programs of study and student life. In this vein, the ensuring of the security of the members of the Shenkar community, including students, faculty and employees are a fundamental and central commitment. 

 

During the past few days various parties at Shenkar have been working to build a professional, emotional and treatment support system for those affected and for the general community. In this framework, an emergency treatment team has been established, which includes representatives for the the prevention of sexual assault, the Director of Psychological Services at Shenkar, the Director of the Hila Center(Student Advancement Center), the VP of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Students, and representatives of the Shenkar Student Union and Shenkar Engineers. It should be pointed out that in addition, the CEO of Shenkar has decided to create an external commission that will investigate the events that transpired and they will present their findings to the Shenkar management team. 

 

The Shenkar management team is working in full cooperation with the relevant investigative authorities according to their instructions on the keeping of privacy and non-referral of the details of the case(in which a large part are unknown to them). Following the conclusion of the investigation and the revealing of the findings, the management team will inform the student population of the findings, which according to the law, will be the appropriate opportunity to do so. Due the nature of the case, Shenkar will not be able to disclose any information regarding the handling of the case to students or their representatives without the advance permission of the police, so as to not disturb the investigation. 

 

As previously mentioned, the Shenkar management team is not aware of the details of the investigation, including the number of suspects, the plaintiffs nor has it received any information or updates on the subject from the Israeli police. In the event that it is found out by Shenkar that there is an employee with supposed involvement, he or she will be summoned for a hearing regarding clarification on the subject, and a complaint will be filed to the police. 

 

Attached to this letter is the joint letter of the Shenkar management team and the Student Union which was sent today to all students, faculty and employees of both campuses. The Shenkar management team and Student Union have been working together for many years in all areas and will continue to do so in the name of mutual respect and trust. We value the partnership with the Student Union and with the National Workers Union as well. 

 

We ask to emphasize, once again, that the responsibility for the well-being, privacy and rights of students is at the top of our list of priorities and that we will take all necessary steps in order to protect these rights. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Professor Sheizaf Rafaeli

Shenkar President