The Student Government Association passed a bill yesterday urging of the university to incorporate more comprehensive sexual assault prevention education into new and transfer student orientation sessions.

The SGA took a stand against sexual assault last night by passing a bill urging university officials to incorporate more sexual violence prevention education into orientation sessions.

National statistics show that one in five women will be sexually assaulted during their college years, and a 1997 study about sexual assault on college campuses revealed women are most likely to be sexually assaulted during the first several weeks of their freshman and sophomore years. Legislation authors junior government and politics majors Matthew Popkin and Andrea Marcin said by giving students this information early on, more sexual assaults will be prevented.

“There are two parts to fighting sexual assault: response and prevention,” Popkin said. “This a preventative measure and that’s what we’re working on now.”

Currently, the New Student Orientation Office, which oversees the programming of new and transfer students, shows a two-minute YouTube video on sexual assault and personal safety at all orientations. Although the Student Government Association voted in favor of a more comprehensive orientation education, some university officials said giving groups access to new students is a slippery slope.

“Everyone wants people to come and talk at the students,” Orientation Director Gerry Strumpf commented. “Someone talking at them for 30 minutes is not impressive – they need to be educationally ready and I think what we’re doing now makes them aware.”

Popkin and Marcin, however, said they thought the video left much to be desired, arguing it lacked fundamental information about resources for victims and failed to provide concrete definitions of consent and sexual assault.

Popkin said the goal of increased education is to not only protect victims, but also the entire community by helping students recognize the signs of sexual assault and teaching them how to stop it from happening.

Marcin said she would like to see communication strengthen between the Orientation Office, the Health Center’s Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program and the community, including creating a specialized position within SARPP that would be responsible for coordinating orientation presentations.

Some UNIV100 courses, which are run by the Orientation Office and are a requirement for all new students, incorporate a sexual assault presentation. However, because it’s not mandatory, Popkin and Marcin said, many students are left without this information – a situation which sexual assault experts said could be dangerous.

“The need for this information is important for all students, but especially the transfer students,” said SARPP Department of Justice Grant Coordinator Fatima Burns. “They’re usually on and off campus and they only get one day of orientation.”

Logistically, Marcin said she envisions a 30-minute presentation and discussion for students, modeled after programs at schools like Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York, which features a 75-minute drama production to bring awareness to sexual assault. However, neither Marcin nor Popkin has developed a specific strategy beyond requiring the presentations.

“I think the administration doesn’t quite get how widespread the issue is,” Marcin said. “They are, and I think a lot of the education takes this stranger-in-a-dark-alley approach, but these are people, you know, they’re walking across the stage at graduation.”

Marcin noted while sexual assaults are rarely reported, national statistics indicate nine out of 10 victims knew their assailant in reported cases.

“If we really mean to contribute to a violence-free campus culture, we need to take these steps,” Marcin said. “We can create a world of safety and equality and that is a world where sexual assault doesn’t exist.”

blasey@umdbk.com