Inspired by a Campus Conversation, Kellie Koester is campaigning for a required sexual assault training class at the University of Idaho.
“I am working with (the) Women’s Center, a few survivors of sexual assault and the ASUI Senate on how to combat sexual assault on campus,” UI junior Koester said. “We would like to require an online class for all incoming freshman including transfer students.”
Koester said the class would cover multiple topics including a section on alcohol and defining consent.
Koester, Heather Gasser and a few others presented the idea to the ASUI Senate in a pre-session meeting Wednesday.
“We had a presentation about a number of different initiatives we can get behind,” Gasser, director of the Women’s Center said. “The online class is really a part of a multi-tiered program. Kellie arranged for us to speak at a pre-session with ASUI to talk about a variety of different things and to educate senators on a broader issue.”
Gasser said the idea for the class has potential, but she’s not sure it will happen.
“A lot of people (are) interested in this, so I want to encourage students,” Gasser said.
Koester said she hopes that ASUI will take the information they were given to the living groups and write a resolution promoting the education course. She said although programs are being developed and people are talking about the issue, talk is not enough.
“I went to Campus Conversations in February. There was a lot of people there passionate about the topic and ways to help on campus,” Koester said. “But to me it’s not enough to talk about solutions. We need action. Right now there are a lot of people on campus talking about it, but we need to combine resources.”
Gasser said she hopes the presentation will inspire senators would come up with ideas and make a recommendation, but for now other programming is in place.
“This spring we are providing programming for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and are doing whatever we can between now and May,” Gasser said. “Our hope is that more students become educated and aware.”
Koester said although no recommendation was made after the pre-session presentation, a few senators made plans for further action.
The program does not have a name yet, but Koester said it will move forward.
“There are a few nationwide campaigns (it) might tie into, or we might create our own,” Koester said. “We aren’t sure yet.”
Gasser said student involvement is great, but a lot of the new programming will come out of the Dean of Students Office.
“At this point, any ideas are welcome at the Dean of Students Office,” Gasser said.
Katy Sword
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