Content warning: This message addresses interpersonal violence, including sexual assault. Links to support resources for those who feel impacted by this message are also provided.
Dear Students:
We have heard from a number of students and have been meeting with student groups concerning recent reports of sexual violence and of behaviors related to sexual assault – like allegations of drugged drinks – in our community. We share the concerns that have been voiced and we are working to address them. This message includes:
- A summary of the immediate steps we have taken in response to the concerns we share with you about student safety, including an invitation to a discussion with Student Affairs administration about concerns regarding student safety and sexual assault;
- Clarification of the role of Timely Warnings;
- Invitations to attend the SASA Sexual Assault Town Hall and, separately, to participate in a leadership opportunity on the UC Title IX Student Advisory Board; and
- Answers to several of the frequently asked questions we’ve been hearing, including information about how we handle the reports we receive (link in section below).
There is a lot of important information in this message, and we are committed to sending more regular communication on this topic.
We look forward to continuing to work with students and with our colleagues to strengthen our sexual assault prevention, response, and resources. Sexual violence has no place in our community.
Steps We’ve Taken
We are taking the reports we have received seriously and have taken appropriate steps given the concerns we share with you about the allegations. Any individual(s) and/or organization(s) found responsible for policy violations will be sanctioned accordingly.
In addition to our standard response procedures, we have taken several additional actions. Since receiving the reports, and based on student input and feedback, the University has:
- Formed a Task Force with broad membership from the UCSB and Isla Vista communities to make recommendations to improve safety at social events in Isla Vista. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Margaret Klawunn, Assistant Vice Chancellor/Dean of Student Life Katya Armistead, and AS President Alison Sir are convening the Task Force for Safer Social Events in Isla Vista to formulate recommendations to be presented to the University at the end of winter quarter. The Task Force recommendations will focus on registered campus organizations, fraternities and sororities, athletic groups/teams, and other social events in Isla Vista.
- Met with the Interfraternity Council (IFC) to discuss incident reports and our serious concerns. IFC leaders independently imposed an indefinite moratorium on social activities, effective since Friday, October 18, until there are effective interpersonal violence prevention practices in place at their events. IFC and member fraternities have been cooperative and proactive in working with the University so far, and we are closely monitoring the situation and working with community leaders to improve safety.
- Scheduled an Open Discussion between Students and Student Affairs Administration about concerns related to student safety and sexual assault. Please join us Wednesday, November 6, 5 - 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Student Resource Building (SRB). All students are welcome and no pre-registration is required.
On a related note, Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA), CARE, the Office of Student Life, and Recreation have been collaborating to launch a new, grant-funded violence prevention education program for campus organization leaders, including fraternities and sororities, as well as sport clubs.
Timely Warnings
The University is required by the Clery Act to send out Timely Warning notifications to alert the University community of potential harm, including reports of sexual violence. In many instances these notifications are sent to the community without verification or confirmation and only represent the report of a potential crime, dangerous situation, or a pattern of harmful activity – unlike emergency alerts, which are required to be verified. In some instances, including the recent notifications, the reports are made anonymously, or are communicated second-hand, which makes it difficult to investigate the report, let alone verify it.
The University is required to include specific information when possible, including descriptions of events and locations when they are included in the reports. Unfortunately, reports often do not include enough specific details. Even so, the University will issue a warning and specifically ask members of the community with knowledge of the events to come forward to assist with the investigation. It is important to note that the University fully respects the wishes of the survivor when it comes to officially reporting an act of sexual violence
Upcoming SASA Sexual Assault Town Hall
Separate from the Student Affairs discussion described above, the Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) have scheduled their quarterly town hall for Thursday, November 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m. in Loma Pelona 1108. All students are welcome and no pre-registration is required.
SASA welcomes collaboration with other organizations. Please email sasa.ucsb@gmail.com to express interest in working together.
Leadership Opportunity: 2019-2020 UC Title IX Student Advisory Board (SAB)
The University of California is recruiting for the 2019-2020 UC Title IX Student Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB advises the UC Systemwide Title IX Office on the University’s ongoing work to effectively prevent and respond to sexual harassment, including sexual violence. The Board engages with students and other campus stakeholders to understand their perspectives, provides important feedback to the UC Office of the President (UCOP), and helps inform students about developments of importance to them.
Applications are due by Monday, November 11, 2019. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-November 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
These frequently asked questions (PDF) are derived from our one-on-one conversations with students, emails and social media posts brought to our attention, and our care and concern for you and for our campus community. Please view the linked document for more information:
- What is the University doing in response to recent reports of sexual violence?
- What is the University doing to prevent violence and to support survivors?
- What is the role of social media in recent reports?
- How will the University hold fraternities accountable for sexual violence that occurred/occurs on their property or at their events?
- Why hasn’t the University imposed a sanction on “XYZ” organization?
- Is a Timely Warning distributed for every crime (including sexual violence) in Isla Vista?
- Why doesn’t the University share all of the information it receives about reports of sexual violence?
In closing, we hope students who have further information about incidents of sexual assault or interpersonal violence will access confidential resources like CARE to learn about their options and will report incidents to the Title IX Office and/or to the UCPD and IVFP. We want to remind you that Isla Vista now has a full-time detective to work with survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. Detective Kovena Avila can be reached at kovena.avila@police.ucsb.edu or 805-893-3446.
Sincerely,
Margaret Klawunn, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Katya Armistead, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Dean of Student Life
CC: Chancellor Henry T. Yang
Executive Vice Chancellor David Marshall
Chief James Brock, UC Police Department (UCPD)
AVC John Longbrake, Public Affairs & Communications
Ariana Alvarez, Title IX Officer
Miles Ashlock, Acting Associate Dean of Student Life (Office of Student Life)
Joaquin Becerra, Assistant Dean & Director, Office of Student Conduct
Briana Conway, Director, CARE
Alison Sir, President, Associated Students (AS)
Cierra Raine Sorin, President, Graduate Student Association (GSA)
