In May, Chancellor Kent Syverud announced that the Advocacy Center would close in June and that its sexual assault resources would be moved to other campus offices. Since then, there has been some confusion about these changes and where to go for help.

The Daily Orange collected questions about these changes from readers on social media and through email and sent them to Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. Kantrowitz and several other individuals in Student Affairs prepared the responses, which have been edited for space.

What is the administration doing to make new and returning students aware of the changes to sexual assault resources? Where is the best place to find information on the new changes?

As is considered a best practice on college campuses, students will notice new stickers have been applied in the stalls of all restrooms in academic buildings and residence halls. The stickers include information about how to contact the Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 315-443-4715. All calls are privileged and confidential. The stickers also provide information about safety and reporting options.

It is important for students to know they can choose to remain anonymous during the course of a telephone conversation with one of our licensed professionals. Students can report matters anonymously through “TIPS” at 315-443-TIPS (8477) or online through the Silent Witness reporting link on the DPS website [http://publicsafety.syr.edu].

We also have a new website at srvresponse.syr.edu which includes quick links about the services that are offered on and off campus, how to access crisis help, what defines relationship violence, information about reporting options and more.

All new students are required to complete an online training program which includes information about changes to sexual assault resources.

We also established a Student Education and Prevention Team to address sexual and relationship violence, chaired by the Director of the Office of Health Promotion with membership including student and staff representatives from across the University.

Besides the residence halls, where can students meet counselors outside of the Counseling Center?

Members of our Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team can be flexible when meeting with survivors who are seeking services and are uncomfortable with meeting at the Counseling Center Office. For example, we easily can arrange to meet with a student at another on-campus location such as an office in a residence hall or a conference room in another on-campus building.

What is Janet Epstein’s, former director of the Advocacy Center, position in the Office of Student Assistance and how does her position interact with the Counseling Center? Is her position confidential?

The Office of Student Assistance serves as a central support hub to help students manage crises, life traumas and other concerns or barriers that impede success. The office has always had a close working relationship with the Counseling Center and the two offices often partner together to address the needs of students who struggle in areas such as psychological health, physical health, crime victimization, sexual misconduct and relationship violence and social adjustment. While the Office of Student Assistance is not deemed a confidential resource by the University, the highly-trained and experienced staff members remain trusted advocates for students and uphold the highest standards of privacy as they assist students through a variety of interventions, referrals and follow-up services.

Who do you call first to report a sexual assault: DPS or the Syracuse Police Department?

If a student’s safety is being threatened, the first call should be to DPS (711 from a campus phone or #78 on mobile) or 911. If a sexual assault has occurred, the most important thing a student can do is to reach out immediately.

Are sexual and relationship violence support and advocacy services provided by Syracuse University also available to students at SUNY-ESF?

Yes. SUNY-ESF students are able to access the resources on the SU campus and in the community.

Will there be more changes made to sexual assault services on campus in the future? If so, how will future changes be made in consultation with students, faculty and staff?

The chancellor has appointed a new Workgroup on Sexual Violence Prevention, Education and Advocacy comprised of faculty, students and staff. The charge to the workgroup is to identify any critical gaps in service and support that are not reflected in the new structure. This includes aspects of the Advocacy Center’s programs and services that could be better integrated in the new support network.

The workgroup is also being asked to propose a set of recommendations for further improving the campus and community culture as it relates to sexual and relationship violence.

Given that the White House Task Force’s report was released only a month before the changes took effect, what were the other considerations, including incidents and guiding documents from federal and state governments, that motivated or informed the decision?

Like most colleges and universities in the country, we continually review the support services we provide to all of our students. In the area of sexual assault and relationship violence, we reviewed a number of recommendations and best practices from peer institutions as well as state and federal organizations before the White House Task Force Report came out. The report was one of many documents we reviewed when making our decision about how to best meet the needs of our students moving forward.

What is a climate study, and why is the university conducting one now?

A climate survey is a tool to gain knowledge about student attitudes, perceptions, experiences and knowledge about resources. Although not named as such, climate surveys have been implemented in the past at Syracuse University, with the most recent being the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment conducted at Syracuse University in the fall of 2011. The survey is a nationally recognized research survey that assesses college students’ health habits, behaviors and perceptions, including specific questions regarding sexual assault and relationship violence. This information is critical for improving campus responses.

This year, the University will be broadening its assessment of sexual assault and relationship violence through a separate climate survey. It is recommended by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault that colleges and universities nationwide implement climate surveys regarding sexual assault on their campuses.

Published on September 4, 2014 at 12:01 am