Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Office of the Dean of Students

Code of Student Life

A document outlining University policy and procedures, it is reviewed annually and disseminated to all students, faculty and staff. It includes, but is not limited to: the University policy on alcohol and other drugs, sexual assault and harassment policies (as well as the measures that can be taken to address these issues) and disciplinary proceedings/adjudication procedures.

Safety Walk

In November, the Office of the Dean of Students coordinates a walk (of approximately three hours) to survey campus safety in regard to sidewalk conditions, lighting, blue light call boxes, crosswalks and bush/tree density. The focus of the walk is outdoor areas only.

Student representatives are requested from the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association and the A-Team (sexual assault peer educators). Staff participants are from Housing and Residence Life, University Police, Office of the Dean of Students, Business Affairs and Environmental Health & Safety.

A memo is then Chancellor’s Office, Student Affairs, Business Affairs, University Police, Environmental Health & Safety, SGA and Housing and Residence Life. The memo contains concerns and recommendations designed to enhance the safety of the community.

Orientation

All incoming students are required to attend an Orientation. During Freshman Orientation, students are exposed to a variety of information and services including personal responsibility, safety and educational opportunities through presentations (“Life at UNCW – Academics, Community & Responsibility; Student Development Services Panel”) and small group meetings with an Orientation Leader.

Parents are exposed to similar information through the “Shared Responsibilities” panel which includes: The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Office of the Dean of Students; Counseling Center; University Police; Student Health as well as “Reality 101” presentations with: The Office of the Dean of Students; Crossroads (substance abuse prevention and education); Health Promotions, Campus Diversity and Campus Ministry.

A-team

The A-team is a group of UNCW peer educators whose goal is to reduce the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the hopes of elimination. This goal is realized through interactive presentations, awareness campaigns and programs that reach out to University students (Residence Halls, UNI 101 classes, Women’s Studies classes and upon request), high school students (Hoggard & Laney) and the Wilmington community. Events include:

• The Purple Ribbon Campaign is an awareness campaign about the pervasive problem of domestic violence. People wear a purple ribbon in remembrance of all women, children and men who have lost their lives and to bring attention to the fact that many thousands continue to live with abuse.

• The Clothesline Campaign is a collective display of tee shirts designed by victims, family members of victims, and friends of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Each shirt represents a person who has struggled with abuse, assault and violence.

• Take Back the Night is designed to empower individuals in order to inspire the necessary action needed to end violence against women. The event consists of a march and rally that includes speakers, music, and a candlelight vigil. In April 2004, You the Man, a one-man play about men’s role in sexual violence, was presented in conjunction with Take Back the Night.

• Love Shouldn’t Hurt is a collaborative project with Vintage Values, a re-sale shop that benefits the local Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc., aimed at promoting healthy romantic relationships.

Presentations include date rape, safety tips, alcohol and consent, date rape drugs, statistics and brainstorming the warning signs and solutions to scenarios that could potentially add-up to an unsafe situation.

White Ribbon Campaign

Men are asked to wear a white ribbon to signify their intolerance of violence against women. Educational workshops are held, a speaker is brought in that is open to the public and funds are raised for the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc.

UNCW SART

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has developed a coordinated response to sexual assault, including a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that reviews and updates sexual assault protocol and procedure. In this process, the University Police is central to the University’s commitment to information dissemination and data collection while maintaining their traditional role of ensuring community safety.

• University Police Department

• Director of Residence Life

• Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development Services

• Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

• Counseling Center

• Office of the Dean of Students

• Rape Crisis Center

• Student Health Center

• Crossroads (added in October 2003)

• Health Promotions (added in October 2003)

• Domestic Violence (added in May 2004)

The University complies with the Clery Act by submitting statistics annually and requiring designated employees to report sexual assaults and complete an anonymous notification. These employees are: University Police, Housing and Residence Life, the Office of the Dean of Students, Athletics, Campus Recreation and University Union staff. Any employee, without revealing the victim’s identity, is encouraged to share information regarding criminal activity that may assist University Police in maintaining community safety.

A document entitled “Sexual Assault Policy: Employee Guidance and Responsibilities” was devised and printed during the 2002-2003 academic year. It is given to all those required to report and is scheduled to be disseminated to all faculty and staff during the 2004-2005 academic year.