Our commitment to prevention, reporting, training and safety

UNH in spring

UNH is reaffirming – and strengthening – its commitment to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence. Drawing on questions and input from community members through fall 2021, UNH created this website to share updates, important resources and progress in our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe and to provide support to survivors.

 

In December 2021, UNH announced 22 commitments in four focus areas: prevention, reporting, training and safety.
These commitments emerged through conversations with many UNH community members. In particular, representatives from the following groups reviewed and contributed to this document:
 

Academic Standards and Advising Committee (ASAC)

Civil Rights & Equity Office

Community Standards

Faculty Senate Student Affairs Committee

Graduate Student Senate Leadership

Health & Wellness

Housing

Prevention Innovations and Research Center

Residential Life

Sexual Violence Action Committee (SVAC)

Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP)

Student Life Directors

Title IX Steering Committee

Undergraduate Student Senate Leadership

University Police Department

 

As we have completed many of the commitments, we have now updated the list below to include a section to track progress on the recommendations within UNH's Comprehensive Prevention Plan.
 

Draft of UNH's Comprehensive Prevention Plan
Recording of recent virtual town hall

 

Our Commitments

Action Item Anticipated Timeline Point of Contact Current Status Notes
Improve promotion for key safety apps (RAVE, uSafeUS, and Transportation App) including during orientation and Wildcat Days. Fall '22 Christa Ricker, Director of New Student Programs Complete  
Implement UNH's Comprehensive Prevention Plan drafted by prevention specialists in SHARPP and Health & Wellness at the request of the Title IX Steering Committee. Fall '24 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer See section below  

Action Item Anticipated Timeline Point of Contact Current Status Notes
Increase staffing levels in the Civil Rights & Equity Office to add dedicated staff for explaining options, providing supportive measures, and conducting investigations. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete Two additional staff positions have been created. Search process underway.
Update Civil Rights & Equity Office website to ensure language and resources (both confidential and non‐ confidential) are clear and easy to navigate with flow charts and visual representations of different processes. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete  
Combine existing policies/definitions into one comprehensive sexual misconduct policy that is easily accessible. Spring '23 Mike Blackman, Dean of Students In progress Review in process. Expected to be live for the start of Fall 2023
Provide information on legal aid for individuals who wish to have legal assistance, but can't afford it. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete Information added to CREO website.
Redesign the Student Code of Conduct to ensure the student conduct processes is clear and easy to navigate. Improve strategies to distribute the Code of Conduct to the UNH community and clarify misconceptions including ensuring students know that defensive spray is permitted at UNH. Fall '22 Alexis Piñero-Benson, Director of Community Standards Complete Updated document can be found at unh.edu/srrr
Ensure faculty and TAs are provided with appropriate training and expectations about letters from the Dean of Students. Proactively inform students of their options if they believe they're not being accommodated. Fall '22 Mike Blackman, Dean of Students Complete  
Standardize campus‐wide email communication protocol ensuring appropriate representation from SHARPP, AA&EO, and Student Life for new emails related to sexual misconduct. Effective Immediately Mica Stark, Chief Communications Officer Complete  

Action Item Anticipated Timeline Point of Contact Current Status Notes
Implement required annual sexual harassment and sexual violence training for all faculty, students, and staff. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete Contract signed and required training will be launched in Fall '22
Implement required sessions for incoming students during orientation and/or wildcat days Fall '22 Christa Ricker, Director of New Student Programs Complete Sessions occurring during Wildcat Days
Implement new virtual orientation platform for incoming students. Fall '23 Christa Ricker, Director of New Student Programs Complete Content development complete. Will be implemented for incoming Fall 2023 students
Implement, strengthen, or standardize tailored prevention initiatives to key student groups on campus including athletes, fraternity and sorority life students, other student organization leaders, students studying abroad or in field study experiences, international students, and other student leaders. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete Initiatives developed for many groups including athletes, FSL, and study abroad. More to come!
Standardize and broaden mandatory reporter training and provide it annually. Fall '22 Laura Buchs, Director of the Civil Rights & Equity Office Complete Standard mandatory reporter training developed and trainings expanded.

Action Item Anticipated Timeline Point of Contact Current Status Notes

Develop dashboard with updated data on reports of sexual misconduct at UNH to be included on central website.

Fall '22

 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer In progress CREO has begun conversations regarding development of dashboard.

Resume annual lighting review to ensure adequate campus lighting. Ensure students know how to report issues.

Fall '22

 Paul Dean, Chief of Police Pending  

Improve strategies to ensure students can travel accompanied at night.

Fall '22

 Mike Blackman, Dean of Students In progress $15,000 earmarked for students to form an organization to assist with after-hours escorts. Contact dean.students@unh.edu if interested.

Continue to ensure all professional and student employees undergo background checks. Require new faculty hires to give UNH permission to inquire with their previous colleges/universities regarding employment concerns. Audit student volunteer positions to ensure positions of authority require background checks.

Beyond Fall '22

 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer In progress  

Require students to agree to follow the rules of the Code of Conduct when accepting their admissions offer and paying their deposit. Include question in admissions application regarding UNH's community standards.

 Fall '22 Mike Blackman, Dean of Students Complete  
Review emergency calling options in the residence halls and apartments to ensure students have the ability to make an emergency call in hallways, bathrooms, and other common spaces. Beyond Fall '22 Stacey Hall, Assistant Vice Provost for Student Life Complete  

Action Item Anticipated Timeline Point of Contact Current Status Notes

Complete campus mapping project to develop an institutional mandate, procedure, or standardized curriculum related to primary prevention programming and streamline prevention efforts across divisions, departments, and offices

Fall '24

 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer Pending  
Increase staffing levels in violence prevention offices including SHARPP and Health & Wellness to add additional dedicated violence and health educators

Fall '23

 Shari Robinson, Assistant Vice Provost of Student Life In Progress Funding is being finalized for additional positions.

Establish a peer education program with paid peer educators related to violence prevention, sexual health & well-being, and AOD education.

Fall '23

 Shari Robinson, Assistant Vice Provost of Student Life Pending Awaiting funding and professional staff positions for oversight

Include violence prevention within high-level strategic planning & campus messaging initiatives

Fall '24

 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer Pending  

Implement biennial climate survey for all UNH employees

 Fall '23 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer Complete  
Implement biennial ACHA-NCHA & NHHEATOD climate surveys for students Fall '23 Kathleen Grace-Bishop, Director of Education and Promotion, Health & Wellness In Progress ACHA-NCHA scheduled for Fall '23. NHHEATOD survey has been recently discontinued by the New Hampshire. Health & Wellness seeking to implement UNH-specific version.
Re‐structure existing sexual violence committees to ensure adequate student representation, a committee dedicated to violence prevention, and a committee dedicated to coordinated community response. Fall '24 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer Pending  
Deliver opt-in harassment and violence prevention training for all employees Fall '23 Nadine Petty, Chief Diversity Officer Complete  
Build scaffolded educational curricula that encompasses IPV, AOD, and sexual well-being; tailor for specific audiences/student populations and follow best practice guidelines Fall '23 Plan Project Manager (not yet hired) Pending  
Develop educational & support offerings for parents and families Fall '23 Plan Project Manager (not yet hired) Pending  

Add

Have you experienced or observed incidents of sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence? Are you a mandatory reporter? Do you think you may have experienced sexual misconduct and want to connect with someone who can help? Submit a report online. See our reporting FAQs.

 

REPORT AN INCIDENT

 
News & Updates

February 9, 2022 — United to End Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence: Town Hall Feb. 16

December 14, 2021 — Update on UNH’s Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Efforts

December 2, 2021 — Update on Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Efforts

October 29, 2021 — President Dean: Sexual Violence Has No Place at UNH

President’s monthly update — Update on UNH’s Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Efforts

 

 

Resources & Information
Title IX Coordinator Bias Reporting Dashboard Sharpp
Seeking support? Need help? We’re here for you.

SHARPP, Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program
603.862.7233
(24/7 help for victims of sexual violence)

 

Civil Rights & Equity Office
(603) 862-2930 • TTY Users: 7-1-1
unh.civilrights@unh.edu

 

Psychological and Counseling Services
603.862.2090
(24/7 help for students managing mental health concerns)

 

Employee Assistance Program
(24/7 for faculty and staff)

 

University Police Department
603.862.1212 or 911
(24/7 support for any emergency medical or safety concern)