In October 2016, MCCN undergraduate students participated in a benchmark survey for the Changing Campus Culture Initiative as requested by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The survey was intended to strengthen the ability to better respond to, and ultimately prevent, sexual violence on Ohio college campuses. MCCN was one of 62 campuses in Ohio that participated in the survey, which included 44,704 students. The results from the survey were released in July, comparing MCCN with the private colleges that participated. MCCN’s director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, Melissa Swartz, MEd, was pleased with the results, stating, “Being new to MCCN, I am pleased to see that our survey results show that students feel that campus officials would take their report of sexual violence seriously and provide them with the support they need during such a difficult time. The survey also showed areas for improvement, which I will strive to address through programming efforts this year, such as ensuring students know where to make a report, what happens if they do report, and where to get help for themselves or a friend.”
MCCN takes very seriously any report of sexual violence and stands behind the policy, which states:
“MCCN is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe learning, living, educational, and working environment that is free from gender discrimination and harassment and to creating an environment that promotes responsibility, dignity, and respect in matters of sexual conduct. Title IX prohibits Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation of any kind on the basis of sex. Title IX also prohibits Violence Against Women Act offenses (“Sexual and Interpersonal Offenses”) such as sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Any person, regardless of gender, can be a victim/survivor of a Title IX violation. This Policy applies to both on-campus and off-campus conduct, academic, educational, co-curricular, and other MCCN programs. Any Title IX violation is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.”
Further to this survey, MCCN received a $10,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. As part of the grant, MCCN will continue its efforts to develop programming that will ensure our prevention strategies are on track to provide the utmost benefit to our campus community. A few programs and initiatives include:
- Conducting a more extensive campus climate survey to inform programming efforts moving forward and ensure we are meeting student and community needs.
- Nursing and Gender-Based Violence: Presentation offered at both Columbus and Lancaster campuses to teach students what constitutes sexual assault and how nurses offer support, healing, and provide evidence collection which may help bring survivor justice.
- Development of a peer bystander intervention training program.
- In-person presentation offerings for the entire campus community to raise awareness on the importance of trauma-informed care, survivor support, and bystander intervention.
- Campus Answers: Provides online training to help students internalize learning and think critically about sexual violence and bystander training.
- Awareness and Prevention Campaign: Develop a campaign to generate education, excitement and, sustained interest among the student body regarding Title IX and the awareness and prevention of sexual violence.
- Changing Campus Culture Committee: This committee will drive the efforts as mentioned above and will be comprised of students, faculty and staff. If you are interested in participating, please contact Melissa Swartz via the contact information listed below.
We need your involvement and input to make these efforts come to reality! Please contact Melissa Swartz at mswartz1@mccn.edu, 614.234.5021, or stop by Marian Hall 2C15 (her new office) to get involved in upcoming committee work, trainings, and more!
