Quigley, Roosevelt University Highlight Importance of Sexual Assault Training on Campus
CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) joined a group of Roosevelt University students, faculty, and staff for a roundtable discussion on the University’s current policies, procedures, and educational programming centered around “Sexual Respect” and how they are changing the culture of sexual assault on campus.
“As the school year begins and millions of college students head to campus, the conversation about campus sexual assault could not be more timely or important,” said Rep. Quigley. “Given that women now make up more than half of college students, we need to make open, honest and real conversations about preventing sexual assault a priority in our society. Roosevelt University is a leader in the fight against campus sexual assault and I’m extremely proud, both as an alumnus and policymaker, of the work they are accomplishing. Today’s discussion with students, faculty, and staff of Roosevelt highlighted how campuses across the country can work to prevent sexual assault.”
”Roosevelt University sets high expectations for the ways in which we engage and live in community with one another. Through interactive trainings for students, faculty and staff, we focus on understanding prohibited behaviors, affirmative consent, and practical tips on how bystanders can intervene to prevent sexual assault,” said Jennifer Tani, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement and Title IX Coordinator. “Roosevelt student leaders that are part of our training team are sending the message to their peers that ‘consent is sexy,’ and as a community, we will hold each other accountable to this standard.”
During the roundtable discussion, leaders from Roosevelt University discussed the reality of sexual assault on campus today, what is being done to change the culture, where Roosevelt is seeing success, and what their plans are for the future. They also discussed the influence of the national “It’s On Us” campaign to address campus sexual assault and the importance of Title IX training and support to the academic experience and combating sexual assault. Following the discussion, Rep. Quigley met with Roosevelt students who are being trained to thwart sexual assault on campus at the peer level.
From left to right: Jamar Orr, Student Conduct and Conflict Specialist; Chris Chulos, Associate Dean of College of Arts and Sciences; Toyia K. Stewart, Assistant VP of HR; Bonnie Gunzenhauser, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences; Charity Seaborn, Student Conduct and Conflict Specialist; Rep. Quigley; Jennifer Tani, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement, Title IX Coordinator; Anthony Paglia, Student Peer Ambassador; and Nathan Stoll, Student Government President discuss ways Roosevelt University is working to reduce sexual assault on campus.
Rep. Quigley met with Roosevelt students who are being trained to be peer-to-peer leaders and discussed ways they help prevent sexual assault on campus.
Rep. Quigley met with Bonnie Gunzenhauser, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Chris Chulos, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Sharron Evans, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Dean of Students; Jennifer Tani, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement and Title IX Coordinator; Mary Grigar, Director, Counseling Center; Chris Littrell, Assistant Director, Center for Student Involvement; Jamar Orr, Student Conduct and Conflict Specialist; Charity Seaborn, ; Toyia K. Stewart, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources; Nathanial Stoll, Student Government Association President; and Anthony Paglia, student, Sexual Respect Education/Outreach Intern and RU Counseling Center Peer Advocate.
Since coming to Congress, Rep. Quigley has been a strong supporter of commonsense legislation concerning sexual assault. He has championed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a landmark piece of legislation that empowers our criminal justice system to better combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The 2013 reauthorization of the VAWA included the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, which required higher education institutions to develop and communicate their policies on dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence, as well as increase reporting requirements for these incidents. Additionally, through Rep. Quigley’s position as the only Illinois member of the House Appropriations Committee, he has fought for increased funding for the STOP Grant Program, which is an effective coordinated community response to domestic violence and sexual assault, helping hundreds of thousands of victims find safety and receive services every year.