By Christina Steube

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi is among 53 institutions to join the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators 2017 Culture of Respect inaugural cohort with the aim of addressing campus sexual violence.

As part of the two-year program, UM will examine and evaluate its existing policies, build effective prevention programs, create a strategic plan for addressing violence, participate in professional development and receive coaching from public health professionals.

“We feel like we already do a good job on response and prevention on our campus, but we are always focused on improving and serving our students, faculty and staff,” said Lindsey Bartlett Mosvick, assistant director for violence prevention.

“The university upholds its commitment to a safe campus through several avenues, and Culture of Respect is bringing together more stakeholders than ever to ensure we are doing everything we can and maximizing existing resources.”

Institutions in the pilot program, launched in 2016, showed improvements in the six pillars of response and prevention: survivor support, clear policies, multitiered education, public disclosure, school-wide mobilization and ongoing self-assessment.

Throughout the program, institutions will learn from one other through online discussion boards and networking events.

“One of the core values of the Division of Student Affairs is “students first”; the Culture of Respect membership exemplifies our commitment to that specific value,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Continual assessment and improvement of professional practice is a hallmark of our university, but this initiative is especially important in our efforts to enhance student safety.”

For information about policies at Ole Miss regarding relationship violence and sexual assault, visit http://umsafe.olemiss.edu/.