Determining Factors of Best Practices and Policies for Sexual Violence Prevention at Small Liberal Arts Colleges

STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS:

THE DETERMINING FACTORS OF BEST PRACTICES AND POLICIES FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION AT

SMALL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Fátima A. AvellánSenior Comprehensive Presentation

Urban and Environmental Policy 2013

Saturday, May 11, 2013

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the determining factors (or “pre-conditions”) that help lead small liberal arts college to achieve best practices and policies for sexual violence prevention?

If schools have larger endowments (or more funding), then does this mean they will have the best practices and policies for their college?


METHODOLOGY

Case Studies: Carleton, Pomona, and Occidental

Review of Literature

Interviews

Students, faculty, and administrators

Advocates and activists at non-profit organizations

Participatory Observation


HISTORICAL EFFORTS

1972: Title IX becomes law

1990: Jeanne Clery Act (“Clery Act”)

1994: Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”)

2011: “Dear Colleague” Letter


SIGNIFICANCE TODAY

According to the Department of Education:

In 2013, the Office of Civil Rights has received 38 complaints against IHE involving allegations related to sexual harassment

10 of these involve allegations specifically related to sexual violence


CASE STUDIES:

CARLETON COLLEGE, POMONA COLLEGE, &

OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE


CARLETON COLLEGE

Northfield population: approximately 17,147 people

Campus size: 955 acres

Undergraduate students: approx. 1900

On-campus living: required all 4 years

Tuition: $58,186 per year

Endowment: approx. $645.6 million

CAASHA*


CARLETON COLLEGE

0%0%4%6%7%

8%

75%

Ethnicity Demographics

WhiteAsianHispanic/LatinoMulti-race (not hispanic/latino)Black/African-AmericanNative Hawaiian/Pacific IslanderAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native

49% 51%

Gender/Sex Demographics

Women Men


POMONA COLLEGE

Claremont, CA population: approx. 35,143 people

Campus size: 140 acres

Undergraduate students: slightly over 1,600

On-campus living: required for all 1st years

Tuition: nearly $56,000 per year

Endowment: nearly $1.7 billion

“Advocates”


POMONA COLLEGE

0%8%

14%

18%59%

Ethinicity Demographics

WhiteHispanicAsianBlack/African-AmericanAmerican Indian/Alaska Native

49% 51%


Women Men


OCCIDENTAL COLLEGELos Angeles, CA population: approx. 3.8 million people

Campus size: approx. 120 acres

Undergraduate students: approx. over 2,100 students

On-campus living: required until 3rd year

Tuition: slightly over $60,000 per year

Endowment: slightly over $330 million

Project S.A.F.E.


OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE

1%5%5%

11%

17% 62%

Ethnicity Demographics

WhiteAsianHispanic/LatinoMulti-race (not Hispanic/Latino)Black/African-AmericanAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native

43%

57%


Women Men


FINDINGS


THE SIX DETERMINING FACTORS

1. Commitment and priority

2. Staffing and support

3. Knowledge and training

4. Student and faculty involvement

5. Students over lawsuits and public image

6. Funding and resources


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE

Consistent dedication

Use expert and research-based evidence available

Sufficient and appropriate staffing

Fundraise for prevention and intervention resources

Put students first

Strive to receive student input

Set up a conflict resolution between students, faculty, and administrators


THANK YOU

Professors Shamasunder and Gottlieb

Selena Chen, Chair of the Board of Directors, SAFER

Ariela Migdal, Attorney for the Women’s Rights Project, ACLU

Mary Mayhew, Program Director, SHARPP at University of New Hampshire

Julie Thornton, Dean at Carleton College

Kaaren Williamsen, Director of Gender and Sexuality Center at Carleton College

Meryl Seward and Natalie Daifotis, advocates at Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault at Pomona College

Shaina Campbell, Co-founder of Project S.A.F.E. at Occidental College

Core members of OSAC

All remaining interviewees
