UL Lafayette Task Force Strengthens Sexual Conduct Policy

With the stroke of a pen, UL Lafayette strengthened its reporting and responding of sexual misconduct throughout the campus community.

University President Dr. Joseph Savoie signed the schools enhanced policy on prohibited sexual conduct that went into effect this week.

The policy states that the University “is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of our campus community are safe, secure, and free from sexual misconduct of any form, including but not limited to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.”

A task force comprised of students, administrators and staff spent more than a year researching the school's existing policy being sure to update it to meet federal and state requirements.

School administrators said the university already had a strong policy in place, but the revisions update best practices for defining and responding to sexual misconduct, on and off campus.

“We have strengthened the policy related to sexual misconduct. The revised version, for example, includes definitions of many terms, such as ‘consent,’ ‘dating violence’ and ‘stalking,’" said Christine Brasher, director of Operational Review at UL Lafayette.  "It clarifies what behavior is prohibited and is intended to better inform the campus community about acceptable and unacceptable behavior,” she said.

The university will soon conduct a  campus climate survey used to assess perceptions and behaviors related to sexual misconduct. The survey will be coordinated statewide by the Louisiana Board of Regents.