April 5, 2018
Dear Tulane Community,
Since we released the results of the climate survey on sexual misconduct and announced our initial action plan three months ago, we see new hope and commitment to this issue from every corner of campus.
In our Wave of Change Working Session on March 5, dozens of thoughtful students shared their perspective, concerns and creative ideas directly with the campus officials who lead our sexual assault prevention efforts.
The Center for Academic Equity has announced a sexual violence research initiative to engage the topic from the perspective of LGTBQ+ and student of color communities. During the five-week study program student research fellows will participate in weekly discussions, engage in readings related to their field and to the craft of research while investigating and reporting on their own research questions. Students interested in submitting a research proposal can apply here. For more information, please attend “Response to Rape Culture: What Has Already Been Done” at Equity Thursday on April 12 from 12:30-1:30 PM in Cudd Hall, Room 203.
Students are also providing interdisciplinary input through “Project IX: Student Design to End Sexual Assault,” a one-credit seminar offered by the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking. Students hold weekly discussions and workshops focusing on “challenge areas,” including education, community, justice and dialogue. Each team will design three to four action plans by the seminar’s conclusion in May and will present their design solutions to the administration.
Students will also have an opportunity to engage with our Wave of Change Expert Panel during their initial series of campus visits. As part of their work guiding our prevention efforts, Felicia McGinty, Lisa Wade and Kevin Swartout will be on campus meeting with administrators and students on April 18, followed by Tracy Hipp, L.B. Klein, Ray Douglas and Lynn Rosenthal on April 23. We will update the Wave of Change website with information on open sessions with our experts as those details become available.
Finally, based on feedback from the town hall that we need to talk more about our response procedures and our support resources, the program “Title IX FAQ: Conduct, Reporting and More” will provide students an opportunity to learn more about how Tulane responds to reports of sexual misconduct. We hope to see you there on Sunday, April 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the LBC’s Qatar Ballroom.
As always, we remain committed to listening to your ideas and ensuring that you see the actions we’re taking as a community. Keep the conversation going at letters@tulane.edu.
Tania Tetlow
Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff
Meredith Smith
Assistant Vice Provost for Title IX and Clery Compliance
