Sexual Violence Resources

Fact Sheet on Educational Activities

The welfare and safety of students is of highest priority to the faculty and staff of Susquehanna University, who strive to maintain a nurturing campus community, intolerant of all forms of violence and supportive of those victimized by such hostilities. With the invaluable assistance of student organizations such as WomenSpeak and Students Promoting Awareness and Responsible Choices (SPARC), the university relays messages of respect, responsibility and sound decision-making when it comes to issues of sexuality and alcohol use. These messages are reinforced through various programs on campus such as:

• The "University Experience" course for first-year students includes a unit that focuses on sexual assault education. All first-year students are required to take either that course or "Core Perspectives," a pilot course in 2004 - 05 in which an estimated 150 students enrolled.
• Training for Residence Life staff on how to respond to incidents of sexual assault, how to talk with residents about it, and how to identify and proactively confront situations that could lead to problems later.
• TIPS training (Training for Intervention Procedures), a national training program that provides students with the skills and confidence to handle situations involving alcohol and to intervene effectively to prevent peers from harming themselves or others, is offered to interested Greek members each semester. TIPS is also part of the training for resident assistants, those students working in residence life capacities within campus residence halls. The training includes three hours of education, role playing, etc., which includes a component that focuses on Susquehanna policies, TIPS team roles, and the like. It is followed by a national certification test, valid for three years, and a local SU policy test.
• The Office of Public Safety makes a presentation on acquaintance rape available to campus sororities each year.
• Warnings and recommendations regarding personal safety at parties are included in the first residence hall meeting of each year, and additional educational outreach in residence halls is provided by WomenSpeak and SPARC.
• An annual Take Back the Night event, sponsored by WomenSpeak, is held for the campus and greater community.
• Routine one-on-one discussions with students regarding these issues are conducted by staff of the health and counseling centers.
• Additional education in 2004 - 05, provided by the university's counselor specializing in drug and alcohol issues, included risk-management workshops for fraternities and classes covering issues of date rape. In addition, the counselor worked with SPARC to promote education about alcohol and sexuality during Alcohol Awareness Week, recognized each year on campus. This year, it was recognized from September 26 - October 2, 2004, with various activities. Speaker Mike Green addressed the student body and spoke with coaches and others in leadership/mentor roles. His background as an athlete coach and educator gives him a special ability to relate to young athletes and his experience as a recovering alcoholic gives him firsthand knowledge of the dangers of alcohol and drug usage. His goal is to educate and his message of moderation avoids moralization. Mike's programs in the words of one student-athlete, let you know how to drink responsibly and stresses the athlete's responsibility to be a peer role model.
• Other programs held on campus have included periodic sessions by Counseling and Health Center staff that include issues of sexual assault, peer assistance training by Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition sponsored by the Women's Resource Center, and intermittent training by the Pennsylvania State Police on drug use, including date-rape drugs.

The messages contained in many of these programs include tips that can help anyone avoid incidents of sexual assault:

• Know that an intoxicated person cannot legally give consent-and that includes consent to any kind of sexual activity. So do not engage in sexual activity with high or intoxicated persons. Even if they say "yes" at the time, the law doesn't recognize this as giving consent.
• As uncomfortable as it may be at first, ask your partner if it's OK to proceed in a sexual encounter. "Is it ok if I touch you here? Is it ok if I do this?" If he/she doesn't say "yes," then STOP!
• Go to parties only where you know the hosts.
• Attend social functions with a buddy, and look out for each other throughout the night.
• Do not allow yourself to be secluded in a room separate from the main area of the party.
• Monitor your alcohol intake and know your limits.
• Do not take drinks from people you don't know or don't trust.
• Do not drink from a cup you have left unattended.
• Be aware that alcohol falsely increases your sense of invulnerability.
• Remember that when people drink they are more likely to act on their emotions.