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Volume 128 Issue 61
Thursday, December 11, 2014
KANSAN
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Kansan.com | The student voice since 1904
TEACHER TRAINING University trains first entirely Vietnamese group of teachers | PAGE 8A
100 DAYS LATER
Emma Halling, former student body vice president, founded the Title IX roundtable last year and has been a part of the conversation unfolding on campus about sexual assault and related University policies and procedures.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
ALLISON KITE
@Allie_Kite
University progresses amidst campus-wide sexual assault conversation
MCKENNA HARFORD
@MckennaHarford
ROCHELLE VALVERDE
@RochelleVerde
The Sept. 2 Huffington Post article about a student's mishandled sexual assault case spurred campus-wide outrage and semester-long conversations about ineffective policy, breaking the silence and rape culture. Since then, changes have been made, but there is more to be done in the coming semesters.
WHERE WE WERE
On July 16 the University was added to a list of 76 (now 85) schools under federal investigation by the Office of Civil Rights regarding the administration's handling of sexual assault cases.
Last semester, former student body vice president Emma Halling proposed a reform of the University's sexual harassment training; however, she said she was ignored by administrators, including Jane McQueeny, director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access (IOA). Halling wanted interactive, mandatory training; McQueeny wanted it to be voluntary.
"I understand that that's a good aspirational goal, but you're not going to get there without a cultural shift, and those are very difficult," Halling said.
Halling's suggestions were brushed aside, but Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs, said the University has been working diligently since IOA was founded in 2012 to investigate complaints of sexual assault.
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"The creation of that office predates the visible and heightened conversation we've had this semester." Caboni said.
The campus-wide conversation among students may be new, but Kathy Rose-Mockry, director of the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity, said the concern isn't new for administration.
"We have a lot of caring, concerned individuals, especially administratively," Rose-Mock-
ry said. "I think there are many of us that have an ongoing concern."
Some students were talking about sexual assault last semester, Halling said, but only those who knew someone who had gone through or was going through the complaint reporting process with IOA. At that point, it was an individualized issue that wouldn't be understood as something greater until the Huffington Post article.
"I think the beginning of the year was a shift from individual problems to a systematic problem," Halling said.
A CULTURE SHIFT
Students responded with outrage to the female student's experience detailed by the Sept. 2 article, inciting criticism of the University's handling of sexual assault and demands for change.
September Siblings, a student group that formed as a result, released an anti-recruitment video on Sept. 9 titled "A Great Place to be Unsafe." The title alludes to the University's slogan "A Great Place to Be," but instead, advised prospective students to avoid the University until policies and procedures improved.
On the same day, The Kansan published an account of another student's disappointment with how administration mishandled her case. Under particular scrutiny in the account was how Nick Kehrwald, then director of student conduct and community standards, handled implementing recommended sanctions for the accused student.
Many students also used social media to express their anger and disappointment with the University by using the hashtag #AGreatPlaceToBeUnsafe. The evening of Sept. 9, September Siblings hosted an open forum at the Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) to discuss the issue and give victims a platform for sharing their experiences.
Two days later on Sept. 11, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little announced the creation of a task force as a step to better prevent and respond to sexual assault. She also held an open forum on Sept. 18 to answer questions.
"Some of you have shared heartbreaking stories of your own sexual assault, while others have made recommendations about actions we can take to improve our prevention and response efforts," Gray-Little wrote in the announcement. "Our university has a responsibility to create an environment where every member of our community feels safe."
Gray-Little identified four areas needing improvement for the task force to address: student policy, the investigation and resolution process, victim support and advocacy, and prevention and education.
Alesha Doan, co-chair of the task force, said since the formation of the task force, she has been approached by alumni who see it as a step forward.
"Everyone's been really supportive," Doan said. "I've also
The addition reinforces the change that Gray-Little approved to the code on Nov. 24. In a press release, Gray-Little said the change makes it clear that the University has jurisdiction for cases of sexual assault and harassment occurring off campus.
heard from alumni that have said, 'I was sexually assaulted when I was a student and didn't know what to do and didn't know where to go.' And this could be from students that attended literally decades ago."
Halling said the continued pressure from students is a driving factor in any change in policies and procedures.
Dec. 5: an addition to the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities that would solidify the University's jurisdiction over sexual misconduct occurring off campus. The addition would clarify the University's authority to investigate and discipline students for sexual harassment, sexual violence or intimate partner violence as long as the perpetrator was a student at the time of the offense.
"It's students who have been made aware of the shortcomings of the system, and KU responded to the Huffington Post story by saying, 'We have an effective system,' while student activists continued to say, 'We don't think so,' " Halling said. "Now, the students are coming forward and saying, 'OK, if you think it's such a great system, then show it to us. Give me the help that I need.'"
On Oct. 1, it was made public that multiple allegations of sexual assault were filed with IOA after an impromptu party at the
The task force submitted its first policy recommendation
Kappa Sigma fraternity during the early morning on Sept. 28. In a statement released Oct. 1, Gray-Little announced the fraternity would be placed on interim suspension because of the allegations, which Gray-Little described as "disturbing and serious."
On Oct. 9, two men, one a University student, were each charged with one felony count of rape of two women incapable of giving consent, according to Capt. James Anguiano of the KU Public Safety Office. The alleged rapes also occurred on Sept. 28 in Hashinger Residence Hall.
Trent McKinley, the Lawrence Police Department spokesman, said the allegations at Hashinger Hall and Kappa Sigma are not related.
In response to the alleged sexual assaults at Kappa Sigma, greek community members formed a greek task force to encourage dialogue about sexual assault prevention and consent. The group met throughout the semester and is reviewing the Greek Community Standards to promote a culture that discourages sexual assault, said Colin Thomas, a senior from Baldwin City in Beta Theta Pi fraternity and member of the Greek Task Force.
IOA's investigation of the Kappa Sigma incident is ongoing, and Kappa Sigma has remained on interim suspension this semester after several extensions.
Thomas said they're talking with University and greek alumni to create a curriculum for a values-based education program for fraternity pledges
What we really hope to do is look at men that are really leaders in their community, real gentlemen, really demonstrating what if look likes to be a man and seek their advice so we can put together the best program we can," Thomas said.
Within the administration, the University hired Sarah Jane Russell as Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education (CARE) coordinator to assist students through the IOA investigation process. The full-time position, as part of the Emily Taylor Center, began Oct.27.
Student Senate hosts forum to discuss multicultural needs
SEE ASSAULT PAGE 3A
MIRANDA DAVIS
@MirandaDavisUDK
A forum about multicultural and diversity issues was the focus of the last full Student Senate meeting of the semester.
The forum was necessary as student unrest grew on social media as many students felt the University wasn't doing enough to show students it cared about multicultural issues, like the protests in Ferguson and general issues on campus. Students voiced concerns starting Sunday night with the hashtag #RockChalk-InvisibleHawk.
Students from many groups
Jeffrey Vitter, provost and vice chancellor, came to the event and spoke about how he didn't want students to think the University is ignoring issues minorities face on the University's campus.
on campus representing students of color, such as the Black Student Union, spoke at the forum, which preceded typical weekly meeting activities.
"Regardless of the frustrations that we have the first step to rectifying this situation is to have our voices heard," said Jameelah Jones, a graduate student in African American Studies.
"I don't want to be silent,"
Vitter said. "I don't want you to think we're silent."
"...we've opened a new door to all of the responsibilities we still have for the year."
After the forum, a bill that failed earlier this semester was reintroduced, creating a Director of Diversity and Inclusion within Student Senate's executive staff.
MORGAN SAID Student body president
"It's really great to be able to check off the fact that this position was created but in accomplishing the creation of the position we've opened a new door to all of the responsibilities we still have for the year." Said said.
The person's sole job would be tackling issues relating to all minority groups across campus. The bill passed nearly unanimously, and Student Body President Morgan Said will hire the student next semester.
CLASSIFIEDS 3B
CROSSWORD 6A
For the full story, including more student reactions, visit Kansan.com.
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
Index
Graduate student Jameelah Jones speaks on the topic of social equity and diversity at the University. Jones was one of many students and faculty who took to the podium at the Student Senate's forum on Wednesday night.
CRYPTOQUIPS 6A OPINION 4A
Edited by Amelia Arvesen
SPORTS 1B
SUDOKU GA
Don't Forget
All contents, unless stated otherwise; © 2014 The University Daily Kansan
This is the last issue of the Kansan this semester. Thank you!
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