AAU Campus Climate Report Commends Universities on Actions Taken to Combat Sexual Misconduct

University of Missouri’s Green Dot program, Office for Civil Rights & Title IX are highlighted in the report

April 26th, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Following a comprehensive survey in 2015, the Association of American Universities released a report today highlighting actions that member universities have taken in the past two years to combat sexual misconduct on their campuses. The report specifically highlights the Green Dot program and the Office for Civil Rights & Title IX at the University of Missouri as examples of programs that are working.

“The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our No. 1 priority at MU,” said Hank Foley, interim chancellor. “In the last several years, we have taken a number of actions to improve our education and prevention efforts. As a result, we feel that we are better equipped to assist anyone who is a victim of sexual misconduct. I’m very proud of the efforts of our staff over the last several years to improve our efforts dramatically. A lot of work has been done and we are a much better campus as a result; it is important that every member of our community feel safe as they live, work and learn on campus.”

“MU officials have taken education about, prevention of and response to sexual misconduct very seriously,” said Ellen Eardley, assistant vice chancellor for civil rights and Title IX. “We now are able to offer better resources to both victims of sexual misconduct and those who have been accused. We are very grateful for the strong support we have received from Mizzou’s students, staff and faculty. Together, we are making a difference.”

For the report, the AAU surveyed its member institutions, including MU. Key findings from the report include:

• Over the last three academic years, all 55 institutions that responded to the survey have developed, redefined, or enhanced programs to assist victims of sexual assault and misconduct. At MU, this includes expansion of the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center and the creation of the Office for Civil Rights & Title IX.
• 100 percent of responding institutions have surveyed students on issues related to sexual assault and misconduct at least once since 2013. MU students complete surveys on a regular basis.
• 87 percent (48/55) of responding institutions indicated that surveys or data from surveys stimulated new or changed existing conversations with students about sexual assault and misconduct. As a result of the surveys on campus, MU officials boosted education efforts and provided additional resources to the RSVP Center and the Office for Civil Rights & Title IX. The provost also created the MU Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Task Force to review the results of the survey and make recommendations for addressing sexual violence.
• Over the last three academic years, 100 percent of responding institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their education and training for students and faculty. As of Fall 2017, approximately three-quarters of students will have engaged in programming informing them about sexual misconduct; additionally, faculty and staff have taken mandatory professional development about sexual misconduct and discrimination.
• Over the last three academic years, 84 percent (46/55) of institutions have developed new programs, education, or interventions for specific student populations or types of students. Mizzou officials expanded the Green Dot program, which is bystander intervention training. The Mizzou program has been recognized as one of the best in the country.

“We were so proud to host the National Green Dot Day of Action conference at Mizzou last fall,” said Danica Wolf, managing coordinator of the RSVP Center. “Our students and staff are seen as leaders across the country in preventing power-based personal violence. When Mizzou collaborates with other universities, we increase our impact and enhance opportunities for our students to learn. It’s really true that no one has to do everything, but everyone can do something.”

“We hope the stories and resources in this report will be useful not only to AAU universities but to all colleges and universities as we work to reduce sexual assault and misconduct on our campuses,” said Mary Sue Coleman, president of the AAU.