In an ongoing effort to enhance the safest learning environment possible for students, The University of Texas System undertook an unprecedented, in-depth student survey to study the prevalence, perceptions and experiences related to a range of acts of sexual assault and misconduct that affect UT students. The results of this survey are presented in a report titled “Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments (CLASE).” Students throughout the UT System participated in the survey in the fall of 2015 and early spring 2016.
UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven released this CLASE report March 24. The UT System news release and microsite regarding this report are available here. Data for the health institutions are reported in aggregate and available here.
The results from UT institutions are very similar to national statistics for similar learning institutions, demonstrating that there is work to be done both across our institutions and country. Also of note is that more than 95 percent of the incidents at health institutions cited in the CLASE report actually occurred off campus, and may have been perpetrated by anyone in the student’s life.
UT Health San Antonio takes seriously its obligation to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty and staff. Any instance of sexual assault or misconduct or harassment is one too many. This institutional commitment is reflected in programs and services available to all students, faculty and staff that include:
- the Student Counseling Center, providing free and confidential individual, couples and group counseling;
- work by Behavior Intervention and Threat Assessment Teams (BIT) that strive to promote the health, safety and welfare of the entire university community by preventing and resolving incidents of violence across campus;
- the Safe Walk program, offering uniformed public safety officers of UT Police to safely escort students, faculty and staff around campus upon request;
- the I Care Bystander Intervention Initiative for students and the campus community that aims to promote the importance of safe bystander intervention in order to prevent risky and volatile behaviors; and
- Title IX training, taken by all faculty/staff, as well as our Title IX website, through which information on discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is shared.
For a full listing of these prevention, intervention and awareness programs and services, visit this site.
Proactive studies like the CLASE report keep UT Health San Antonio focused on important issues that improve the culture of excellence that we continuously strive to build.
Contact: Will Sansom, 210-567-2579 or sansom@uthscsa.edu