Eastern Oregon University - Office of Student Affairs

Sexual Assault Campus Awareness

The Student Affairs staff would like to briefly describe the following activities that have been undertaken and are still underway to address this very difficult topic of rape on campus.  

It is important to note that the following preventative and educational events are the culmination of research and encouragement for action from PCSW, the Diversity Committee, WRRC, and other groups and individuals. Their passion and desire to make EOU a safe, welcome environment is recognized and valued.

Also, the implementation of the following activities are the result of hard work from many in Athletics, Residence Life, Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Orientation staff and many others have been explicit and proactive with these numerous programs, presentations and trainings. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Marianne Weaver and Colleen Cascio for going above and beyond to bring students, EOU faculty and staff, and community resources together.

Tis the season to be thankful for these collaborative efforts.

Sexual Assault Response Protocol

The Sexual Assault Response Program includes identifying and training on campus advocates that include a broad representation of campus community members. Sexual assault survivors will be referred to these advocates for support and information about campus and community resources and reporting options. Advocates will facilitate reporting incidences of sexual assault so that we can be more effectively track occurrences whether incidents are reported or not. Our first 20 advocates were trained in November 2004.

Informing the campus of this new program, the new community SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) program and sexual assault policies has extended to all facets of the campus. The following units have had the opportunity to hear about the EOU Sexual Assault Response Program:

• Student Affairs Directors (June 15, July 8, September 8)
• Student Affairs Administrative and Classified Staff (includes coaches and trainers) (October 20 and 26)
• Arts and Sciences faculty and staff (September 17)
• School of Education and Business faculty and staff   (September 20)
• Distance Education staff (September 20)
• Cashier's Office staff (October 15)
• Campus Security staff (October 27)
• Student Health Nurse Practitioners (November 3)
• Eastern Student Entertainment student staff (November 3)
• Computer Center staff (October 15)
• Women's Center staff (November 17)
• Ag Program staff (November 4)
• Food Service staff (November 4)
• Student Government student staff (November 9)
• President's Commission for the Status of Women (November 11)
• Volleyball team discussion (August 18)

Currently, Dr. Weaver, serves on the State Attorney General's Campus Response Task Force. This is the state task force cited in the recent Oregonian article. Additionally she serves as the EOU liaison to the Union County - Sexual Assault Response Team.

Student Education and Awareness

New Student Orientation - Fall 04

• Sex Signals, a professional presentation was attended by over 300 participants
• Debrief by Drs. Thacher Carter and Marianne Weaver with ESE and Residence Life staff
• Information packets from Shelter from the Storm to all residence hall residents
• New Student Orientation opening session - Rumors presentation. Current students present this play about stereotypes and common issues new students may confront, including sexual assault.
• Health Jeopardy game sponsored by the Student Health Center
• Information Fair - Nurse Practitioners discussed information regarding sexual assault and alcohol.

• New Student Packets given to all who checked in for orientation included:
• The 2003 Annual Security Report
• A letter from Vice President of Student Affairs specifically on acquaintance rape.   First lines read:   "As a citizen of Eastern's campus community you need to be aware of a problem plaguing colleges and universities-date rape. Date rape and acquaintance rape are criminal offenses which have far reaching affects on the victims and the offenders."   (Full text is available from Student Affairs)
• Brochure from Campus Safety & Security offering escort service
• Copy of The Women's Voice from the WRRC
• With Parents

• During the 2004 summer orientation and advising sessions with parents the topic of campus safety was addressed with parents. The Cleary Report campus crime statistics are shared and we acknowledge that many crimes go unreported including sexual assault.   Representatives from our Student Health and Counseling services discuss with parents "the red zone." This is the time between when fall term begins and Thanksgiving when most campus sexual assaults occur. They highlight the amount of attention we bring to this issue via programming early in fall term during orientation and in the residence halls.
• Parent meeting during residence hall opening day highlighting the same issues above.

Residence Hall Programs

• Fall 2004 Date rape discussions held in West Dorion and Hunt Hall (with over 70 participants at each session) and in Hunt Hall - facilitated by the Counseling staff
• Residence Hall staff training includes a session on sexual assault and one on diversity, also led by Student Health and Counseling Center staff.

Student Health Programs

• Just for Women and Just for Men sessions - at multiple sites on campus, including Hoke, Alikut, Hunt and Dorion. Presented in fall, winter and spring terms. Discusses relationship issues, safety, sexually transmitted infections and testing, and contraception information.
• Ask the NP - a new program that collects anonymous questions via e-mail currently, asknp@eou.edu , and from the new "Health Huts" recently installed in each residence hall and Hoke Center.

Athletics Programs

• Sponsored a "female leaders" seminar last year that focused on sexual assault with presentations by Shelter from the Storm, campus health and

counseling, former President Dixie Lund and members of SART.

• Co-sponsored SAAM (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) last year
• Members of the various athletic teams took part in the preparations for the Shelter from the Storm's annual Soup Supper fundraiser by baking bread, setting up tables and chairs etc. Professor St. Germain led the football team members in the creation of a "rap song" speaking out against sexual assault.
• For the past two years EOU has hosted the Champions of Character Leadership Seminar that focuses on five core areas: respect, integrity, sportsmanship, servant leadership and responsibility.   Involved team leaders, all student athletes and staff with keynote speakers.
• Female and male team leaders took part in an educational seminar Fall 04 involving the Shelter From the Storm focusing on issues such as personal space, defining sexual assault, resources available etc.
• Athletics staff briefed by Dr. Weaver on the sexual assault protocol in the event that a victim presents.
• Officers from the La Grande Police Department attend team meetings to discuss legal issues surrounding alcohol offenses and sexual assault.

Campus Programs

• Spring '04 Gender Culture and Health Panel   -(Linda Jerofke's class) with Jerod Rogers, LGPD Detective, Dr. Marianne Weaver.
• Spring '03 Gender Studies Class Discussion Panel - (Tonia St. Germain's class) with Drs. Nord and Weaver participating in panel.
• Sex Signals brought to campus last year mid-year, sponsored by Student Activities, open to campus community.
• Sexual Assault Posters -posted in campus restrooms since spring 2003.   Posters were designed in collaboration with campus groups and printed by Student Affairs. These posters list campus and community resources and give basic advice about care and options following a sexual assault.

Policies and Procedures

• In spring term 2003, the Student Code of Conduct began to be reviewed and revised. In August 2005 the Student Code of Conduct was approved by the State Board of Higher Education.
• The Sexual Assault Policy was reviewed and revised. In April 2006 the policy was approved.
• The Grievance procedures are being reviewed by the Assembly Grievance Committee.
• Former Affirmative Action Officer, Jackie Grant - presented sexual harassment workshops to EOU faculty and staff
• Current Affirmative Action Officer, Irene Jerome and Carol Kroll, have made arrangements for ongoing sexual harassment workshops to EOU faculty and staff.

Scheduled -or- to be scheduled

• Eastern Oregon University - Additional Sexual Assault Response Program - information sessions:  
• Thursday, January 6, 2005 - OSU Ag Program
• Hearings Officers
• Ambassadors
• Nursing program staff
• Oregon Dental Sciences staff
• Bookstore staff
• CARE Brochure revisions/updates - to reflect new sexual assault policy and Student Code of Conduct.
• Sexual Harassment Policy - needs to be reviewed and revised.
• Addressing Sexual Violence on Oregon Campuses conference participation (April 11-12, 2005).