“Beyond Compliance” Town Hall, May 10, 4–6 p.m., Stevenson Event Center

As I mentioned in a campus message a few weeks ago, I am convening the campus community to initiate a dialogue on sexual harassment and sexual violence that will bring together Academic Senate leaders, students, faculty members, and staff. This moderated event will be from 4–6 p .m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the Stevenson Event Center. (Please note the change in venue from the original announcement.)

I ask that you RSVP to the event so that we can plan accordingly. You may also submit anonymous ideas and suggestions for ground rules at the same website.

Your reactions and feedback to my message have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of this effort, so I feel the pressure to make sure we have a constructive conversation that yields meaningful actions. These actions will set the ethical bar for our administrators and faculty to follow, and even surpass, as leaders in changing the culture within higher education.

I have also heard your stories of disappointment and distress. Hearing about these experiences has been heartbreaking, to say the least.  As President Janet Napolitano recently told the Sacramento Bee editorial board, we should all expect to be able to be a part of the UC Santa Cruz community without the fear of being sexually harassed or assaulted. It takes all of us to be aware of this behavior and take the appropriate actions that communicate that this is simply unacceptable.

The forum on May 10 will be moderated by Nancy Heishman, director of Campus Conflict Resolution Services. I will be joined by colleagues from the Academic Senate, Title IX office, CARE office, and other campus leaders who are committed to advancing this culture of change. We are all looking forward to hearing your ideas on how we can make this cultural shift.

If you are unable to attend this event, but would like to contribute to the conversation, we welcome your thoughts in advance at http://cpevc.ucsc.edu/beyond/. Your submissions can be anonymous.

If at anytime during the event, you feel that you need immediate support, the CARE office staff will be available at the Stevenson Fireside Lounge.

If you require special accommodations at the event or have any questions, please contact Alison Schwab at 831-459-2145 or aschwab@ucsc.edu.

While we cannot change the culture overnight, I am committed to getting us on the path to quickly define concrete mechanisms that administrators and faculty can adopt, above and beyond what is required by law or policy, to advance a culture of service to each other and our students.