As a result of the Department of Education’s May investigations into how universities and colleges report sexual assault on campus, NSU created the Committee for Awareness, Education and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct.
The committee was formed over the summer in response to the Department of Education’s additional guidelines under the federal civil right policy Title IX, which outlines how universities should respond to sexual discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence. The additional guidelines defined sexual violence as a form of sexual assault. These guidelines were created by the federal government to improve universities’ handling of campus sexual assault cases.
In May, the Department of Education announced it was investigating 55 universities to determine their Title IX compliance and how they address sexual assault issues. The number of universities being investigated is now more than 70 and includes Florida State University, the only Florida university on the department’s list.
The education department’s Office for Civil Rights changed its guidelines to state that elementary, secondary and postsecondary institutions would benefit from additional guidance concerning their obligations under Title IX to address sexual violence as a form of sexual harassment.
Gay Holliday, the associate dean of administration for Student Affairs and the College of Undergraduate Studies, said NSU’s committee was formed to develop a campus-wide approach for awareness, education and prevention of sexual assault.
Holliday said the major goal of the committee is to develop programs, to help raise awareness to and educate people to look at sexual assault from a bystander perspective. The committee also wants to educate people on what victims of sexual assault or sexual misconduct should do and what resources are on and off campus such as the Henderson Student Counseling Center, which is located in the University Park Plaza.
“Now that classes have started, we will be working more with student groups to become partners with us. It takes everyone here to create and support a culture where students feel safe,” said Holliday, who is also the Title IX coordinator and chief judicial officer at NSU. Her role is to make sure NSU is in compliance with Title IX and that cases of sexual misconduct are reviewed and reported appropriately.
Aarika Camp, assistant dean of Student Services and director of Residential Life and Housing, said the committee consists of representatives from various divisions at NSU: Holliday, Camp, Associate Athletic Director Kelley Kish, Director of Student Media Michelle Manley, Director of Student Affairs Andrea Kovachy, Director of Student Assessment Josh Hammers, Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Allison Foster, Director of Public Safety Jim Ewing, Associate Director of Public Safety Jim Lambe, and Director of Henderson Student Counseling Center Debra Goldman.
“It’s important that all of these individuals are involved since they all relate in some way in the process of awareness, education and prevention of sexual misconduct on campus,” said Camp.
The committee has reached out to several student groups on campus to educate them about prevention of sexual harassment and misconduct, as well as to explain ways to stop an incident as a bystander. The committee is also in the process of constructing a website with a list of on and off-campus resources, so that all students can access that information. They hope to have the website running by the end of September.
The Division of Student Affairs staff, which includes the Residential Life and Housing staff, has participated in trainings focused on sexual assault and how NSU handles these cases. The committee has also partnered with Women In Distress in Broward County to develop educational programs to present to NSU students, as well as providing students with the Women In Distress’ resources such as a 24/7 crisis line and emergency shelter.
Women In Distress’ first presentation was shown at freshman orientation to 600 students. The presentation was about creating a safer environment for first-time college students.
Holliday said that one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college and that new students are more vulnerable, especially within the first six weeks on campus.
The freshman orientation presentation focused on what healthy relationships are, dating relationships and communication, sexual misconduct, myths about sexual assault, advice on what a victim can do, and the definition of consent.
Camp said that freshmen in a new environment are most vulnerable because they don’t know anyone or are unfamiliar with their surroundings.
“We have to make sure students are aware of safe dating and aware of where they are going in a new city,” Camp said. “It’s really important that we are educating students on how to protect themselves, what to do if an incident does happen, or what to do if a student knows someone that has been involved in an incident.”
The student handbook defines sexual assault as “an act of violence, aggression, and power, in which the victim, under protest or without consent, is forced to experience a sexual act through verbal coercion, threats, physical restraint, and/or physical violence.” NSU also acknowledgesacquaintance rape in its definition of sexual assault. Acquaintance rape is defined as “forced, manipulated, or coerced sexual intercourse by a friend or acquaintance.”
Sexual misconduct that occurs off campus can also be the subject of a complaint or report and will be evaluated to determine whether or not it violates this policy.
If incidents of sexual assault or misconduct should occur, students may report the incident to Public Safety, Student Affairs or Student Counseling. For students who want their cases to remain confidential, students can visit the Henderson Student Counseling Center. For medical help, students may use the clinics located on campus.
“We want the students to know that we are here for them and that we will do what we need to do to make sure students feel safe and safe to report,” said Camp.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence
Nova Southeastern University Resources
NSU Public Safety 954-262-8999
NSU Henderson Student Counseling 954-424-6916
Dr. Gay Holliday 954-262-7281 or gayhol@nova.edu
Community Resources
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-888-956-7273
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
Nancy J. Cotterman Sexual Assault Treatment Center 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 954-761-7273
Women in Distress 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 954-761-1133
