University seeks student input as part of initiative to combat sexual assault, misconduct

Students who want a say in the university’s programs regarding sexual assault and misconduct should check their email inboxes. The university has distributed an online survey about the subject to all students—undergraduate, graduate and professional.

More than two dozen of the country’s top universities are participating in the effort to get students’ perspectives regarding these critical issues on their respective campuses. University officials are seeking information to gain insights that will help them assess existing efforts and identify ways to improve them.

The online survey is entirely voluntary and confidential. The design includes technological safeguards to ensure that no student who submits a survey can be identified.

“We want to understand what our students experience and how they feel about existing programs,” Vice President for Student Affairs Lou Stark said. “I hope that large numbers of those on our campus participate, and that they are as candid and direct as possible.”

The Association of American Universities (AAU), which includes more than five dozen of the leading institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada, led the organization and launch of the national effort. The AAU retained Westat, a global company headquartered in Rockville, Md., to develop the survey, and Westat engaged experts on campus sexual assault and misconduct to ensure the questions addressed the most essential issues.

Many of the participating universities—including Case Western Reserve—have committed to release the results publicly after Westat completes tabulation and related processing of the results. Campuses expect to have their information—as well as aggregate data from all other universities—by the fall. Approximately 800,000 students nationwide will have the opportunity to complete surveys. They will be open today through April 23.

Over the past two years, the issue of campus sexual misconduct has become increasingly prominent, in part because of new federal recommendations regarding university policies and activism by the White House and members of Congress. During the 2013–14 academic year, Case Western Reserve officials participated in multiple meetings with students, staff and faculty regarding policy changed prompted by the new federal recommendations. The university Board of Trustees approved the new policy in June, although officials continue to make modest adjustments to comply with federal updates and clarify language. To review the current policy, visit case.edu/diversity/sexualconduct/policies/sexualmisconduct.html.

Questions about the survey can be directed to CWRU’s Office of Institutional Research at ofir@case.edu. Questions regarding rights as a research participant should be directed to the CWRU Institutional Review Board at 216.368.6925 or cwru-irb@case.edu.