Sept. 2014: Efforts to Prevent Sexual Misconduct

Dear Students,

A long-overdue national dialogue has highlighted the need for colleges and universities to step up their efforts to prevent sexual violence, to assist those who have experienced such reprehensible conduct and to hold perpetrators accountable. That conversation is happening on campuses across the country and it’s happening at Bucknell. I’m grateful to all who have taken part.

During my four years at Bucknell, I have talked openly in many venues about sexual misconduct on campus. Through those discussions, it has become clear that in addition to expanding our efforts to combat sexual violence, we must do a better job communicating the resources available to victims and describing the work that’s currently underway. I share below some of our recent initiatives designed to prevent sexual violence and other forms of sexual misconduct, and to demand accountability from perpetrators and support those impacted by their actions.

This summer, Barbara Martin, the University’s Title IX coordinator, organized efforts to further improve Bucknell’s Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence policy. Our current policy, which complies with developing legal obligations, incorporates definitions and procedures implemented at other schools taking a proactive approach to combating sexual violence. Our revised policy provides all of our students with the opportunity for a prompt and equitable resolution of allegations of sexual misconduct. Among other things, I hope that it will foster an environment in which victims of sexual violence feel increasingly empowered to report those incidents, thus triggering procedures that demand accountability.

Some victims may choose not to pursue disciplinary action immediately following an incident. It’s important for those students — and those who support them — to understand that Bucknell’s desire and ability to assist them is not contingent on pursuing disciplinary action. For instance, we can discretely change housing assignments, accommodate certain academic-related requests, and offer confidential resources and services regardless of whether or not a student moves forward with a complaint. Our primary goal is to provide an environment where students are safe, secure and able to pursue their educational goals.

We are investing significant time and energy into several new initiatives so that our entire community can join in efforts to prevent sexual misconduct, including programming through the peer education group Speak UP Bucknell, training for all employees and students, and other creative forums for discussion. To be clear, our work is far from complete, but we have made an important start.

As a community united by intellectual exploration and the pursuit of creativity, critical thinking and strong leadership skills, we share a collective responsibility for improving our culture. We all have a part to play in standing up against sexual violence. We will not look the other way. I hope you will get involved, if you have not already. Be engaged. Be aware. Take a stand.

My best,

John Bravman