It’s On Us Campaign

By Tatyanna Hunter

The Title IX Committee at Hood College is participating in the White House sponsored campaign It’s On Us National Week of Action, November 17-21.

In 1972, the Title IX law was passed that requires gender equality in all federally funded educational programs. The Hood College Title IX Committee is a group of college faculty and staff who work on maintaining compliance with Title IX and corresponding laws.

The committee also works with overlapping requirements, providing equal access to educational and co-curricular activities, and educating the campus community on Title IX issues.

“The It’s On Us campaign is about bystander intervention and about creating an environment where sexual assault is unacceptable,” said Staci Brennan, Title IX Resource for Athletics. “This particular initiative coincides extremely well with the work that the Title IX Committee has been doing over the past year.”

The campaign, launched by the White House in September, is also designed to create awareness on college campuses about how to stop sexual assault. This campaign helps students learn about roles they can play in ending sexual violence on and off campus.

Hood College is hosting a variety of events during the It’s On Us National Week of Action, such as ones supporting victims of sexual assault and violence, and intimate partner violence. For these events, Hood is partnering with Heartly House, The Frederick Center (a LGBTQ youth support center), and 1in6, a resource center for men who have been sexually abused in childhood.

Carol Wuenschel, Title IX and Section 504 Officer says the Title IX Committee and Hood College are participating in the It’s On Us Campaign “to demonstrate our commitment to having a healthy, safe, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment on campus.”

During the It’s On Us campaign week, Heartly House, The Frederick Center, and 1in6 will also be providing training on sexual assault awareness and prevention. In addition, students will have the chance to sign a pledge to make a personal commitment to prevent sexual assault.

“The It’s On Us pledge is about making a personal commitment to step off the sidelines and be a part of the solution,” Brennan said. “If everyone works together we can create an environment where young men and women feel safe.”

Everyone will have a chance to take the online pledge during the Pledge Drive on November 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Whitaker Campus Center. There will also be an opportunity to take the online pledge during the women’s and men’s basketball games on November 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Dean of the Chapel, Reverend Beth O’Malley will be focusing on the issues of sexual assault awareness and prevention in the weekly reflection.

Student Life is encouraging all students to download the phone application, “Circle of Six” to help in the effort to stop sexual assault.

Wuenschel said that the “Circle of Six” application can be used “to provide support to potential victims and prevent sexual misconduct. The free phone app allows students to choose six friends who can help them during a sticky situation by providing an interruption, or by giving a ride, or just offering dating information.”

Also, new web pages have been created for the Counseling Center portion of the Hood College website that contains information on sexual assault prevention and healthy relationships.

“Hood College will continue to look for ways to engage the campus community in addressing the myriad issues that result from sexual assault,” Wuenschel said. “The Title IX Committee looks forward to hearing from students, faculty, and staff regarding their ideas for having our campus be a safe, vibrant and welcoming community for all constituents.”