Who’s Responsible for the Sexual Climate?
An Institution-wide Approach
Scott C. Brown, Ph.D., Associate Vice President/Dean of Students
Dawn LaFrance, Psy.D., Associate Director, Counseling Center
Thad Mantaro, MS., Director, Shaw Wellness Institute
Colgate University
ACPA 2014: Indianapolis, IN
1
Context
• The social and sexual climate is a central issue for
college students.
• Students desire to navigate their sexuality in a safe
and constructive environment.
• Students report sexual assaults and harassment.
• Institutions are expected to be proactive.
• How can we create a climate of sexual respect?
2
Learning Objectives
• Increased knowledge of an all-campus approach to
improve sexual climate.
• List 3-5 programs and initiatives that support a
positive sexuality model.
• Identify at least 3 initiatives to consider on your
campus.
• “Wise people learn from their mistakes…”
3
Agenda

Legal and Political Landscape

Sexual Climate Advisory Committee (SCAC)

“Plan Do Study Act” Approach

Positive Sexuality Initiatives

Translating Strategies to other Campuses

Questions/Closing/Evaluation
4
Legal and Political Landscape
• Know Your IX
• University of Montana “Blueprint”
• Campus SAVE Act
• Dear Colleague Letter 2011
5
Legal and Political Landscape
• Obama White
House Action
(2014)
Video goes here
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/24/weekly-address-taking-actionend-sexual-assault
6
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee (SCAC)
Setting the Stage

Colgate University – Size, Location, Campus Culture

Your Stakeholders – Interest & Motivation

Consider Current Data Points

Set Realistic Goals
7
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee (SCAC)
Charge
“Faculty, staff and students are charged with
developing, coordinating, and evaluating initiatives
that improve the sexual climate.”
“All that rises must converge.”
8
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
S.M.A.R.T. Goal
“Using a PDSA approach, improve the sexual climate as
evidenced by reduction in students taken advantage of
sexually, experienced attempted/successful
penetration, and sexual harassment; and increase in
percentage of students who can define consent and
perceive themselves empowered to make own sexual
choices.”
9
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
10
11
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee

Inclusive, comprehensive, dynamic and nimble

Faculty, students, staff (representative)

Approach/Sub-Committees
o
Individual (Health/Education)
o
Environment (Programming/Events)
o
System (Policy)
12
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Monthly Agenda Template

Update on PDSAs in progress/data review
(attendance/demos, pre-post, focus groups, quick
polls, etc.)

Proposed new area-related initiatives/PDSAs

Suggestions for monthly surveys

Possible topics for full SCAC discussion
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Individual
•
Yes Means Yes
•
YMY 2.0
Video goes here
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Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Individual
•
Womentoring program (discontinued)
•
Train Deans-on-Call to interface with all
stakeholders on victim’s behalf
•
Random Conversations About Sex (RUCAS)
15
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Environment
Lectures

Laci Green “Best Sex Ever”

Naomi Wolf

Jackson Katz

Queerfest
Performances



“This is Not a Play
about Sex”
Vagina Monologues
“Wires” and FUSE
Dance
16
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Environment
Communication
Trainings

Pos. Sexuality Website


Pos. Sexuality Calendar


Educational Campaigns
Peer Health Educators
Workshop Series (e.g.,
Greek, Student
Government)
17
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Environment

Groups
Summit
Feminist Council of Elders
• Sexual Climate Summit
Positive Sexuality House

Bystander Intervention


Focus Groups (e.g., Taxonomy
of Sexual Situations, NonMajority Population)
18
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
System
Training



First responders (RAs,
Campus Safety, Deans)
Equity Grievance Panel
(EGP)/appellate officers
Teaching sexual
violence issues
Policy and Procedures

First-year orientation

Student of concern forms

Brown bags/brochures

Audit EGP Process &
Sexual Climate
19
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
System
Communication
•
Nine for IX
•
Assessing Incapacity
•
SCAC Awareness
•
Consent
20
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
System - Communication
21
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Results
• We saw in increase of 41.7% in the number of students who could
correctly identify consent after the campaign.
100%
85%
80%
60%
60%
Pre-campaign
Post-campaign
40%
20%
0%
Correctly Identified
Consent
Sexual Climate Advisory Committee
Results (continued)
# of Events Participants
Total Programming: 37
2875
EGP Policy/Training: 7
963
Total:
3908
45
Translation to Other Campuses

Make the case: Legal, educational, aspirational

Stakeholder: Who cares and/or can get things done?

Communicate, Coordinate, Cultivate

Three things you might do?

Comments?
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Thank You!
Contact
Scott Brown: sbrown@colgate.edu
Dawn LaFrance: dlafrance@colgate.edu
Thad Mantaro: tmantaro@colgate.edu
References
•
Baxter Magolda, M., & King, P. (2004). Learning Partnerships: Theory and models of practice to
educate for self-authorship. Sterling VA: Stylus.
•
Bogle, K. A. (2008). Hooking up: Sex, dating, and relationships on campus. New York University
Press: New York.
•
Breitenbecher, K. H. (2000). Sexual assault on college campuses: Is an ounce of prevention enough?
Applied and Preventive Psychology, 9, 23-52.
•
DeFur, K. M. (2012). Don't Forget the Good Stuff! Incorporating Positive Messages of Sexual
Pleasure into Sexuality. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 7(2), 160-169.
•
DeKeseredy, W. S., & Kelly, K. (1993). The incidence and prevalence of woman abuse in Canadian
university and college dating relationships. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 18, 137-159.
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References
•
Foubert, J. D., & Newberry, J. T. (2006). Effects of two versions of an empathy-based rape
prevention program on fraternity men's survivor empathy, attitudes, and behavioral intent to commit
rape or sexual assault. Journal of College Student Development, 47, 133-148.
•
Friedman, J. and Valenti, J. (2008). Yes Means Yes! Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World
Without Rape. Seal Press: Berkeley, CA.
•
Katz, J. (1994). Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) trainer’s guide. Northeastern University’s
Center for the Study of Sport in Society. Boston, MA.
•
LaFrance, D. F., Loe, M., & Brown, S. C. (2012). “Yes Means Yes”: A new approach to sexual
assault prevention. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 7, 445-460.
•
Oswalt, S.B. (2010). Beyond risk: Examining college students' sexual decision-making. American
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•
Owen, J. J., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Fincham, F. D. (2008). “Hooking up” among college
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