Students Force Columbia University to Pass Precedent-Setting Sexual Misconduct Policy

As a direct result of massive student pressure, today Columbia University passed a groundbreaking new Sexual Misconduct and Assault Policy.  The new policy makes Columbia the only university in the nation with a full-time position devoted to dealing with sexual assault on campus, and the leader in combating sexual assault among Ivy League institutions.

The policy incorporates students at every level, mandating that students must make up at least 1/3 of all oversight committees and that students serve on the hearing panel in cases of misconduct.  In addition, the policy forcefully addresses campus education and prevention needs identified by students.

This policy finally came up for a vote today after three years of student struggle and grassroots mobilization.

Students Active For Ending Rape Co-Coordinator Sarah Richardson said, "The new full-time position and the pro-active educational initiatives represent the University's acknowledgement that a problem with sexual assault exists on campus."

Hundreds of students, wearing red armbands, filled every seat at the meeting, spilling onto the floor and out into the hallway.  Student speakers urged the senators to pass the resolutions without amendment. Students cheered, hugged and cried at the conclusion of the final vote. According to SAFER Co-Coordinator Ashley Burczak, "This policy is the product of student pressure and input.  Students today demonstrated that with student involvement, a policy can be constructed that meets the students' needs."

The movement to reform the Sexual Misconduct Policy at Columbia began last spring when the old policy came up for review.  Students obtained almost 2,000 signatures on a petition endorsing specific changes to the policy, held public forums, grilled administrator, and led a grassroots student movement unmatched in recent history at Columbia University.  The red tape worn on the backpacks, briefcases and wrists of hundreds of Columbia students served as a symbol of resistance against the bureaucratic "red tape" of the previous policy.

The meeting was presided over by the President of Columbia University, George Rupp, who endorsed the new policy.

SAFER Co-Coordinator Nikki Thompson said, "We believe this new policy will have national impact as other schools look to it to model their own Sexual Misconduct Policy."

SAFER plans to hold an inter-collegiate conference to discuss campus a sexual misconduct policies and student strategies for reform.