Title IX has provided guidelines to universities, recommending what might be covered in sexual assault education programming. However, these recommendations are not legally binding.
This leaves schools to determine how students learn about policies and procedures regarding sexual assault reporting.
UNC uses a combination of in-person orientation presentations, mandatory online training modules and professional staff to teach students about the University’s policies. Students can also continue training through optional programs such as One Act, which teaches bystander and prevention tactics.
During UNC’s on-campus orientation, Student Wellness, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life and the Office of Student Conduct put on a presentation that addressed student behaviors, including sexual violence.
The presentation, titled Carolina Community, which also includes instruction about self-care and respect, had four minutes of information on sexual assault. The presentations included information on consent and directed students to other campus resources.
“We expect you to develop respectful relationships,” said Brittany O’Malley, assistant director of Student Wellness. “Consent, at a very basic level, is an affirmative, enthusiastic agreement on something.”
The mandatory online modules include AlcoholEdu and Haven, both of which mention sexual assault. Haven, which was first introduced at UNC in December 2014, is designed to educate students on sexual violence. Incoming students must complete an updated version of the module in August.
Kelli Raker, coordinator for violence prevention programs at UNC, said the updates in the module would be for UNC-specific programming.
