URI students not required to participate in sexual assault course

University of Rhode Island students are not required to take the sexual assault awareness course that they were notified about via email earlier this month.

The email, sent by Roxanne Gomes and the URI Title IX office, stated that “all students are now being required to take training on preventing sexual assault.” Gomes admitted that her office made a mistake in the email’s wording.

“Our mandate became the students’ mandate,” she said, adding that it was incorrect. “We will be eating a slice from the humble pie.”

Under new amendments to the Clery Act imposed by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, colleges are required to report on the policies and programs the university must offer to combat campus violence.

While universities must offer these programs, in no way are students required to take them.

There are no penalties for students who do not take the online course, but the office asks that students take the request and complete the course seriously.

Gerard Holder, the deputy Title IX coordinator, said that incentive for students lies within “how you view an investment in yourself and your own personal safety” rather than a mandate.

The course, titled “Lasting Choices – Preventing Sexual Assault: ‘What Consent Means’”  covers what to do in potentially violent situations, and teaches students to be active bystanders. It consists of a video followed by “what would you do” type questions, said Gomes.

“It’s an educational opportunity that can be lived on and off campus, and even after graduation,” Gomes said. “It’s an opportunity to identify safe behavior and how to react. It’s very serious to us.”

While it may seem random, this training is part of a group approach to dealing with sexual assault on campus. Gomes said the release for the program came down to a general deadline the university needed to meet to be in accordance with these mandates.

Timing was a factor, she explained, which was why some students received their login usernames and passwords before the invitation explaining what the course was.

Even though the email stated that all students must take the course by November 16, Gomes said that this is only “the first wave,” and students will have the opportunity to complete the course again later in the semester.

“We will rephrase the next invitation,” said Gomes, who will instead “strongly request” students to participate in the program.

Holder said the plan will be to implement these trainings annually in addition to the other assault-awareness programs on campus. Gomes added that they are always looking for new materials to provide students with the tools they need to keep themselves and others safe.  

“If one person found this to be successful, [and] was saved from stalking, sexual assault, or violence,” said Holder, “then we are good.”