Forum debates sexual assault policies
By Allison Sherrier | March 26, 2004An informal discussion last night addressed the University's policy on sexual assault in the wake of public criticism from a parent who alleged that her daughter, a University student, was raped. Student Council President Daisy Lundy said the idea for the meeting was first addressed several weeks ago. As a member of Sexual Assault Facts and Education, Lundy said she thinks the University needs to increase its sexual assault education, awareness and resources. "I was surprised to learn how many people did not realize sexual assault was a problem at the University," Lundy said at the beginning of the meeting. The discussion focused mainly on University outreach and education. Participants said they were concerned with student ignorance about what constitutes sexual assault, a term encompassing everything from rape to unwanted sexual advances. "We need to hold our students to higher standards," Lundy said. The forum also addressed the University's punishment of convicted sexual offenders. On a Web site she created Sunday, the mother of a University student who reported her daughter had been raped by another student said the University did not adequately respond to her daughter's accusations. In a letter she wrote to the University, the mother said she received dozens of e-mails from other students disappointed in the University's treatment of sexual offenders.
