A Culture of Respect
The data are extremely troublesome.
Nonconsensual sexual conduct is too prevalent on college and university campuses.
Sexual and relationship violence is described by the American College Health Association “as a serious public health issue affecting college and university campuses.”
Per the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 11.2 percent of undergraduate and graduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
And a 2019 Association of American Universities survey of over 181,000 students at 33 universities found 13 percent said they had experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent “with rates for women and transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary (TGQN) students being significantly higher than for men.”
In August of 2020, we heard from former students, alumnae, and alumni who shared via social media alleged accounts of experiences they had or were aware of related to sexual assault during their time at Randolph College. These were painful to read, and we appreciate their courage in coming forward.
Randolph College is in full compliance with the law.
Randolph College investigates every allegation of sexual assault we receive and for which we have jurisdiction.
But this is not enough.
It’s clear we must do more to build a culture of respect on our campus. We are committed to fully facing this difficult subject, working with our amazing alumnae, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff to identify approaches that go beyond legal compliance.
President Bateman, in an 8/15/20 letter to the community, outlined a series of initial steps, including the creation of a standing committee “to examine our current programming and to recommend additional work we can do to improve campus culture on consent and respect.”
This important committee will be made up of representatives from the student body, alumnae and alumni, faculty, staff. We believe that by working together, this partnership will greatly benefit both the College and our students. Once they are named and convene, action items will be updated on this website and actions the College has taken to implement them.
We all have a role to play and we want to hear from you in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Together we will make a difference, so please share your thoughts via titleIX@randolphcollege.edu.