CUMU Conference 2017

Best Practices: Updating Campus Wide Policies
In 2014 Pace University started the process of updating their sex based misconduct policy. Contrary to standard practice, Pace formed a task force that included faculty, staff and students. Student advocates were involved at every level and helped craft an updated policy and dedicated website that was touted as a best practice example by the NYS Governor’s office.

Combating Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Governor Cuomo’s “Enough is Enough” Legislation
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced sweeping legislation directed at private universities in 2015 to combat sexual assault on college campus in tandem with a public relations campaign entitled “Enough is Enough.” The proposed legislation required all colleges to adopt a set of comprehensive procedures and guidelines, including a uniform definition of affirmative consent, a statewide amnesty policy, and expanded access to law enforcement.

The original legislation was viewed as insufficient in many areas, including language that was not gender neutral. The Office of Government and Community Relations worked closely with the NYS Senate Higher Education Chairman and NYS Assembly Higher Education Chairwoman to have the Governor’s legislation pulled from consideration and replaced with a more comprehensive bill that incorporated language and policies private universities had already adopted working closely with student advocates. The Office of Government and Community Relations participated in the drafting of the Senate bill and several areas of the now enacted legislation closely mirror Pace’s Sexual Assault Policy.