404 Stuart Hall!

University Park, PA 16802!

!
May 2, 2015!
!

Eric J. Barron, PhD.!

President, Pennsylvania State University!
The Pennsylvania State University!
201 Old Main!
University Park, PA 16802!

Dear President Eric Barron,!

!
!
!
As I am sure you are aware, Pennsylvania State University Park had twenty-four
sexual assault cases reported last year. This year that number is expected to rise.
Another frightening statistic states that one in five female college students are victims of
sexual assault in college. With numbers like this on the rise, something must be done.
Action needs to be taken in order to prevent the further occurrence of sexual assault
here at Penn State. Most of the issues surrounding sexual assault could be better
handled by more closely following the Title IX guidelines set forth by the law. I believe
that action should be orchestrated in the form of a better prevention program and in the
hiring of of a full time Title IX Coordinator. !
!
!
!
Earlier this year when presented with the recommendations set forth by the Task
Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, you accepted all of them. This
included the hiring of a full time Title IX Coordinator to oversee all reports of sexual
discrimination and look for solutions to solve this problem at our school. I thank you for
taking steps to improve the issue of sexual assault here at Penn State and I believe that
these recommendations will have a great impact. I do urge you to reconsider one
important aspect however. !
!
!
!
A suggestion was made by the Task Force for the university to create a
mandatory one-year course for all first year students about personal well being. The
course would have had an emphasis on creating meaningful positive relationships with
others and preventing sexual assault and alcohol abuse. This idea was vetoed in favor
of another path the university will be taking that has yet to be announced.!

!
The current sexual assault prevention program consists of AWARE, the online
module. From a students perspective, please know that no one takes this seriously. It is
simply put on in the background as students complete homework or watch television.
The message is not getting across through this medium.!

!
Please reconsider the installation of a classroom setting, discussion based
prevention program for students. Many universities are switching to this method and
students have been very receptive. George Washington University has an education
program where students are separated into small groups to discuss issues surrounding
sexual assault. A student there praised the program, explaining that it was probably the
first time many of the students had ever talked about sexual assault or consent in a
social setting with their peers. George Washington University (about 25,000 students)
does have a smaller student body than Penn State, but I still believe this would be
effective in a small classroom setting, much like the first year seminars the school has in
place currently. !

!
A study in 2013 showed that 78% of students prefer learning in a traditional
classroom setting rather than online. Please listen to the audience of AWARE, the
students actually taking this prevention program, the students exposed to the threat of
sexual assault every day. There is no one solution to the issue of sexual assault at Penn
State, but I do believe that a classroom setting prevention method could get our school
one step closer. !

!
For the glory,!
!
!

Sarah Hershey!
(610)-757-5158!
smh6024@psu.edu !