Eastern Michigan University (EMU) will host the fifth annual Let’s End Campus Sexual Assault summit, according to an announcement today from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former First Lady Sue Snyder. The governor will be giving the morning keynote address at the event.
“Every student in Michigan deserves to feel safe on campus,” Whitmer said in a statement. “But right now, we’re not doing enough to end sexual assault on campus, and as a result, one in five women and one in 16 men are victims of sexual assault while they are college students in Michigan.”
The day-long summit will be held on December 3 at EMU where it aims at opening up a conversation about campus sexual assault. The theme for the 2019 summit is focused on the roles that individuals and institutions play in preventing sexual assault.
“These summits are about changing our culture and creating safer, more supportive campus environments for students and survivors,” Snyder said in a statement. “I am proud that this initiative continues to gain momentum, and I look forward to working with Governor Whitmer in continuing this important work now and into the future.”
The summit is expected to draw 500 attendees, including university officials, Title IX administrators, law enforcement, students, stakeholders, legislators and topic experts.
Eastern Michigan University President James Smith said sexual assault on campuses “remains a critical health and safety issue” and the university was excited to host the event.
“The more our institutions of higher education discuss these important issues and learn from one another, the better prepared all of us are to develop programs and commit resources to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and employees,” Smith said.
Whitmer said that as a mom of teenage daughters and a survivor herself, she is “proud” to partner with the former First Lady.
“Our students deserve better,” Whitmer said. “We must get to work to change the culture around sexual assault on campus and ensure the safety of our students.”
Go to www.misafercampus.com to reserve a ticket.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Gretchen Whitmer” by Gretchen Whitmer.
