As the University’s administration continues to evaluate the way that sexual assault is handled at UNC, the community finds itself at a crucial crossroads.
The administration has created an online suggestion box for students to put forth their ideas about ways to prevent sexual assault and improve the University’s handling of sexual assault. There have also been open meetings with the chancellor and vice chancellor to discuss the role of the Honor Court.
Through these actions, along with the hiring of Gina Smith, an expert on sexual assault laws, the administration has shown that it cares about the way students and their cases are treated.
Students and student groups that get the chance to speak with administrators should keep this in mind — believing that the administration is ultimately on their side can reduce some perceived ill will and facilitate discussion that will move our campus forward.
Seeing the administration as an enemy rather than as an ally won’t fix the problem.
Of course, gathering student input without using it would be shameful. The administration must be willing to turn good student ideas into reality.
However, it is important for students to realize that sexual assault is a problem that affects every single college campus in the nation. The University is not going to be able to eradicate it on our campus, because that is simply unfeasible. This is not to temper expectations but to ask students to be realistic about the scope of abilities of our administrations.
UNC is at the center of a national conversation on sexual assault, and it is of the utmost importance that the student body is as creative, effective and direct as possible. This is a valuable opportunity to effect change that is too precious to waste.
