UC and Army ROTC Battalion to Sign Sexual Assault Prevention Charter on April 7

The University of Cincinnati and the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion housed on campus will sign a Sexual Assault Prevention Partnership Charter in a brief ceremony set for

11 a.m., Tuesday, April 7

, in Room 320, University Pavilion.

The purpose of the charter is to establish an ongoing partnership between the United States Army and the university to battle sexual assault and sexual harassment through an agreement of mutual support between the Army ROTC and UC.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Jason Bender, professor of military science for the Army ROTC detachment at UC, “The partnership means the sharing of institutional expertise between the military and the university in prevention of sexual assault and harassment. It especially emphasizes the sharing of educational strategies, plans and activities. Our goal is for a strong, ready and resilient partnership that benefits all involved, and especially the Army ROTC cadets who are UC students first and foremost.”

Jyl Shaffer, UC’s Title IX coordinator, agreed, stating, “Both the university and the ROTC battalion will share information on reporting requirements and procedures, share lessons learned and seek to jointly identify best practices that lead to improved advocacy.”

The partnership will also allow the university and Army ROTC to share policies and work together on procedures to identify sexual assault risk indicators, contributing factors in the environment, mutually assess sexual assault prevention programs, and help enable the military and university to come together for any needed policy changes to better serve students.

Signatories to the charter and participating in the signing ceremony will be Lt. Col. Jason Bender and university officials, including Debra Merchant, UC’s vice president for student affairs, and Jyl Shaffer, UC’s Title IX coordinator.

The event will consist of

• UC’s Color Guard will march in.
• Brief remarks by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Bender, Army ROTC Battalion at UC.
• Brief remarks by Debra Merchant, UC vice president of student affairs.
• Brief remarks by Jyl Shaffer, UC Title IX coordinator.      
• Exchange of commemorative certificates.
• Charter signing by Lt. Col. Bender and UC's Debra Merchant and Jyl Shaffer.
• Salute by ROTC Color Guard.
  

FIND OUT MORE ON TITLE IX at UC

This focus on education and prevention is key in combating sexual harassment, misconduct and assault. Education efforts already held at UC this academic year include

• An ongoing climate assessment survey.

• Feb. 9-13 Healthy Relationships Week.

• The #UCItsOnUs campaign with speakers Lynn Rosenthal (Nov. 21) and Wagatwe Wanjuki (Jan. 29) and an upcoming speaker on March 3.

• Student efforts related to Title IX, such as a Consent Cultural Campaign carried out by students affiliated with DAAPCares, RECLAIM Peer Advocates and Student Government. See Student Body President Christina Beer’s article on the Consent Culture Campaign at UC. To get involved, call 513-556-4401.

• More than 5,000 incoming first-year, transfer and international students took online training that highlighted the role alcohol often plays in terms of sexual assault. That training also focused on accountability and consequences, laws and policies governing sexual assault. That online training will be required of all UC students next year.

University resources include UC’s

Title IX website

as well as 

• UC’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) serves as a 24/7 resource to students in crisis due to sexual harassment, misconduct or assault. Reach CAPS 24/7 by calling 513-556-0648. Two new counselors – Anusha Zechella and Abby Lewis – have joined UC’s staff in order to serve, among other students, those who are survivors of sexual assault.

• UC Public Safety has a Special Investigations Unit which includes an Inspector with special training in sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking as well as a soon to be hired Coordinator of Victim Services. UCPD can be reached at 513-556-1111.

• UC's RECLAIM Peer Advocates deliver support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, providing advocacy, awareness and education around these issues. For services contact the Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate at 513-556-4328.

• In addition to a new Title IX Coordinator, other recent additions to UC’s campus community also bring Title IX experience that enhances the expertise already available. New members of UC’s community with Title IX experience include Denine Rocco, Dean of Students; Chief of UC Police and Director of Public Safety Jason Goodrich.

• By next summer, UC will have plans in place for campus climate surveys, bystander training as well as training for faculty and staff.