To: Faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan
If you are a manager of staff whose work is not computer-based, please print this email and display it in a common work area for them to review.
As a follow-up to my message on June 7, the Board of Governors has referred Policy #131 (Sexual Assault) http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/files/2016/06/Proposed-Policy-131.pdf for consultation: all members of the university community are encouraged to provide their comments.
Please submit feedback to either the Office of the University Counsel at university.counsel@ubc.ca or through the confidential feedback survey: https://survey.ubc.ca/s/sexual-assault-policy/ by September 30, 2016.
The proposed Policy is an important first step in improving UBC’s response to sexual assault. It outlines the key values and principles to which UBC will be held accountable and upon which all future work will be based. It also provides a single source of information on the supports, resources and reporting options currently available at UBC.
In particular, it provides clear direction and a more consistent approach to help students, staff and faculty get the help and support they need if they have been sexually assaulted or if someone discloses a sexual assault to them. It also clarifies which UBC processes apply when a report of sexual assault is made against a member of the UBC community. The proposed Policy is one element of UBC’s multi-faceted approach to addressing sexual assault; an approach that also includes education and awareness programs, focusing on intervention and prevention.
The consultation process runs until September 30, 2016. The Co-Chairs of the Policy Development Committee will hold two public information sessions in September, one on the Vancouver campus and one on the Okanagan campus. They will also be meeting with key stakeholders such as employee and student unions and associations on both campuses throughout the consultation period. The university community is encouraged to participate in these sessions however the Committee is only able to consider written feedback delivered via email or through the confidential feedback survey form mentioned earlier.
The collective aim of the proposed Policy and ongoing sexual assault response and education is to foster a safe and respectful environment at UBC and a supportive environment on campus for survivors. As we work to improve our policies and processes, I want to remind you about the resources available on campus and in the community should you need assistance for yourself or for someone you know.
For Vancouver students: http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/topics/sexual-assault-support-student-survivors
Okanagan students: http://students.ok.ubc.ca/sexual-assault.html
Faculty and staff: http://www.hr.ubc.ca/health/safety/sexual-assault-resources/
Sara-Jane Finlay
Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion