April 3, 2018
Dear Â鶹´«Ã½ Community,
Â鶹´«Ã½ is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory educational, working and residential environment for all. We must live up to our highest aspirations and, more specifically, we must aspire to provide members of our community with an environment that is free from sexual violence. I am grateful for your willingness to share your experiences, information, and observations with me about the College and sexual violence prevention, reporting, and response. I am dedicated to working with our community to take positive steps forward.
Today, I am announcing the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Sexual Violence Intervention & Prevention co-chaired by Sue McCarthy and Oona Eisenstadt and to be comprised of:
- Sefa Aina, Associate Dean and Director of the Draper Center
- Vicky-Marie Addo-Ashong ’20, Student
- Craig Arteaga-Johnson ’96, Assistant Vice President for Advancement, Alumni and Parent Engagement
- Ellie Ash-Balá, Associate Dean of Campus Life and Director of the Smith Campus Center
- Tony D. Boston, Associate Dean of the College; Associate Professor of Physical Education and Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
- Jan Collins-Eaglin, Associate Dean of Students for Personal Success and Wellness
- Pharalyn Crozier, Assistant Director, Queer Resource Center
- Nicole Desjardins Gowdy, Director of Study Abroad
- Oona Eisenstadt, Fred Krinsky Professor of Jewish Studies and Professor of Religious Studies, co-chair
- Molly Rose Gilbey Keller ’19, Student
- Margaret G. Lodise ’85, Trustee
- Micah Ayah Abad Maglasang ’20, Student
- Sara Masland, Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Angel Mason, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator
- Niles Mayan ’20, Student
- Sue McCarthy, Title IX Coordinator/Clery Officer and Associate Dean, co-chair
- Jessica Nickerson, Residence Life Coordinator
- Patricia A. Smiley, Professor of Psychology
- William R. Swartz, Professor of Physical Education and Soccer Coach
- Kehaulani Vaughn, Associate Dean and Director of the Asian American Resource Center
The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for late April. I am asking them to report to the community and me at the end of each semester and to provide a final report to us in April 2019.
I have charged the committee with:
- Identifying existing barriers, challenges, and gaps in the prevention of, reporting of, and response to sexual misconduct; and developing recommendations for effectively addressing campus needs in these areas.
- Evaluating existing policies, practices, infrastructure, and culture to reduce the incidence of misconduct and ensure best practices and compliance (with assistance from legal experts in the area of sexual misconduct) with applicable federal and state law; and advising the College in preparing necessary or desired revisions to the policy and procedures.
- Identifying opportunities and strategies to foster both internal and external partnerships that create a coordinated response to sexual misconduct; promoting a climate of safety and awareness; and monitoring incidents of sexual misconduct.
- Exploring best practices and making recommendations to: 1) enhance support and services for victims/survivors; 2) engage stakeholders in the implementation phase of recommendations; 3) integrate assessment and feedback mechanisms into our policies, processes, programs, and practices.
I look forward to receiving the work and recommendations of the committee in April 2019. I am dedicated to moving their recommendations forward as quickly and as fully as possible.
With best wishes,
G. Gabrielle Starr