Chancellor Syverud Appoints Members to Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Education and Advocacy

Chancellor Kent Syverud today appointed the members of the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Education and Advocacy. The charge to the workgroup is to provide ideas, suggestions and proposals for how the University can continue to address the serious issues of sexual assault and relationship violence on campus.

Creation of the workgroup was announced by the Chancellor in July. Recently, the Advocacy Center services were realigned within a new collaborative team structure. The Counseling Center, Office of Student Assistance and Office of Health Promotion now work together to provide advocacy, education, counseling and support to all students impacted by sexual and relationship violence. These offices, in concert with the Department of Public Safety, the Title IX Coordinator and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, provide a comprehensive support and response network.

Chancellor Syverud has asked the workgroup to prepare a report that will identify any critical gaps in service and support that are not currently reflected in the new structure, including aspects of the former Advocacy Center’s programs and services that could be better integrated. The workgroup is also being asked to propose a set of recommendations for further improving the campus and community culture as it relates to sexual and relationship violence. Chancellor Syverud has requested the workgroup deliver its final report by Dec. 15.

Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, says the formation of the workgroup is an excellent next step in ensuring students are provided with the best services possible and that survivors of sexual assault have access to the supports they need.

“Throughout the summer, we have been listening to feedback from students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni,” says Kantrowitz. “We are eager to share this feedback with the workgroup as well as hear from them what ideas and suggestions they have to ensure our new structure is as strong and effective as it possibly can be.”

Members of the workgroup are:

Dawn Johnson, associate professor, School of Education (Co-Chair)

D. Chase Catalano, director, LGBT Resource Center (Co-Chair)

Chris Cederquist, director, University Options Program

Aaliyah Gatlin ’17, Mentors in Violence Prevention peer facilitator, Sex-Esteem

Tula Goenka, associate professor, Newhouse School of Public Communications; advisor, Students Advocating for Sexual Safety and Empowerment (SASSE)

Meaghan Greeley, graduate student, The Campaign for an Advocacy Center

Sam Leitermann, graduate student, Vice President for Internal Affairs, Graduate Student Association

Brittany Moore ’15, director, Student Association

Pam Peter, director, Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Joshua Walls ’15, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Student Representative

Vicky Wang, graduate student, The Campaign for an Advocacy Center

One additional faculty member to be appointed

Ex-officio – Shannon Andre, Division of Student Affairs Communications Manager

Ex-officio – Catherine Gerard, Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs