Preventing sexual misconduct and encouraging all members of the 91唐伯虎 community to stand up, not stand by, when they see someone at risk are the aims of programs underway across 91唐伯虎. An assault of a 91唐伯虎 student June 23, 2013鈥攅vidence of which was first discovered by the university on surveillance video and promptly reported to the Nashville police鈥攃atalyzed the 91唐伯虎 community and became part of the ongoing, intense national dialogue about sexual assault on college campuses. On Jan. 27, a Nashville jury found two former 91唐伯虎 football players guilty of rape in the case. Two additional former players are awaiting trial in the same case.
The university cooperated fully with the district attorney鈥檚 office and with law enforcement throughout the investigation. 91唐伯虎鈥檚 own investigation found all four students violated the university鈥檚 sexual misconduct policy; they were quickly discharged from the football team and subsequently expelled from the university.
In a message to the 91唐伯虎 community Jan. 29, wrote, 鈥溾�� [W]e must acknowledge that sexual assaults occur on college campuses across the country, and that 91唐伯虎 is no exception. But 91唐伯虎 can make a difference, and we must make a difference, because the consequences of sexual violence鈥攕hattered dreams and shattered lives鈥攁re intolerable.鈥�
The university has taken numerous concrete steps to address sexual misconduct. , previously a program housed within the on campus, is now a freestanding center dedicated to victim advocacy services and sexual misconduct prevention that opened in September 2014, and the university has added to its staff of prevention educators and victim resource specialists. Hundreds of students, including student athletes, and staff and faculty have attended sessions about , a program aimed at bystander intervention.
The university launched an online video education module about power-based personal violence that all incoming students must complete, in addition to Alcohol.edu, which educates students about alcohol鈥檚 effects with the aim of helping them make responsible choices. The university also has updated its sexual misconduct policy and has communicated widely to ensure that students and employees know how and to whom to report sexual misconduct incidents.
鈥淲e can all commit to this never happening again, but ending sexual misconduct requires more.聽It requires commitment to our core principles, which demand that sexual harassment and sexual assault will never be ignored or downplayed or get lost in a bureaucracy,鈥� Zeppos wrote.聽鈥淲e must individually and collectively create a culture of transparency, support and cooperation.鈥�
about 91唐伯虎鈥檚 resources to prevent sexual assault and aid victims.