• The Vice President for Student Affairs will appoint an advisory committee on sexual assault that will serve for an initial three-year term beginning this spring. Unlike a presidential commission that typically serves a fixed term, the advisory committee will be permanent and designed to ensure that the University-wide dialogue that has begun on this important topic will be sustained, and that periodic and consistent review of University support services and procedural options will continue. The committee will include faculty, staff, and students. The Sexual Assault Leadership Council is encouraged to recommend student appointees to the Vice President by March 31, 2005.
  
• The Sexual Assault Board will continue to be composed of faculty, students, and staff who exhibit an understanding of contemporary college life and sexual assault issues in the college community. Members must be able to serve as impartial fact-finders and not as advocates for either side. The Board currently consists of faculty and staff with counseling experience as well as clinical and other psychologists. The Vice President will continue to appoint persons with similar expertise and other relevant experience to serve on the Board. The Vice President will also appoint an increased number of student members who, as in the past, will be nominated by Student Council. Students who are interested in serving on the Board, especially those who are capable of serving two or more years, are encouraged to contact Student Council by March 31, 2005. The Vice President will announce the 2005-06 Sexual Assault Board membership this spring.
  
• The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) will establish a formal advisor pool to educate and support students who are parties to sexual assault proceedings. The pool will include faculty, staff, and students. The Sexual Assault Leadership Council is encouraged to recommend students who are interested in serving as advisors to ODOS by March 31, 2005.
  
• Members of both the Sexual Assault Board and the advisor pool will be trained. A national expert in sexual assault will train current and 2005-06 Board and pool members in a two-day session this spring. This will be followed with periodic training and meetings on a quarterly basis during the academic year.
  
• The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will commence work immediately with relevant student groups to construct a Web site to educate the University community on sexual assault generally and the procedural and support options available to victims. The Web site will include a timeline and frequently-asked-questions section that will strive to communicate these options in clear and direct language.

View the Procedures for Cases of Sexual Assault