Students and community members didn't have many questions Tuesday about the University of Montana's ongoing sexual assault investigation. They just wanted to know how victim services operate and if faculty must report cases.

President Royce Engstrom hosted two forums Tuesday, one in the afternoon on campus and one in the evening at the Holiday Inn Express, opening with a summary of the five-page investigation report released last week. Joining him to answer questions were Lucy France, director of UM's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office; Charles Couture, dean of students; and Eilis O'Herlihy, director of the Student Assault Resource Center.

At both forums, most questions were not about the investigation or the report released last week, but focused on campus services and procedures. People wanted to know who victims should talk to and about the responsibilities of various staff and faculty.

The on-campus presentation was integrated into the University Council meeting, which is generally geared toward faculty and staff, but students made up nearly half of the audience. More than 100 people attended but just a handful asked questions.

Instead of holding regular class, professor Charlie Palmer had his Legal and Ethical Issues in the Health and Exercise Professions students attend the presentation.

"It is an issue that cuts across demographics," Palmer said. "It is a societal issue."

His students were assigned to write suggestions about how the University can prevent sexual assaults. Palmer will compile the input and submit the suggestions to Engstrom.

UM senior Courtney Rayfield, who is in Palmer's class, said she was impressed by all of the services the University provides to people involved in sexual assaults.

"I had no idea that SARC did so much for these students," Rayfield said.

Overall, she said she's satisfied with the University's quick response to the situation given that it came to officials' attention in December.

Elizabeth Hubble, co-director of gender studies, asked if the University would change its policy and begin requiring faculty to report all incidents they learn about. She was concerned that mandatory reporting would dissuade students from seeking help on campus.

France said although other universities in the country do require faculty and staff to report incidents, UM currently doesn't. She said faculty and staff do "need to make sure we direct students to SARC and other resources."

UM's existing reporting procedure conflicts.

The sexual misconduct procedure, written in April 2005, "encourages reporting of all incidents of sexual misconduct, and respects the choices that survivors make regarding the methods of reporting." It later says "safety personnel" must report offenses to Public Safety, but without the victim's name or other identifying information.

The definition of safety personnel includes Public Safety officers, people monitoring doors at events, the dean of students, the director of Residence Life, and "other officials with significant responsibilities for student and campus activities." Professional counselors and health staff are excluded.

The confusion means one unnamed UM official will not be reprimanded after failing to tell administrators about an assault, Engstrom said.

The smaller evening forum only saw a few questions from the few dozen people in attendance.

One man asked how the Missoula Police Department is involved in sexual assault cases on campus.

Engstrom and Couture both said the University doesn't share allegations with local law enforcement, but can urge victims to press charges on their own. They pointed out that the University has their own processes and punishments for these cases, such as the Student Conduct Code, Athlete Conduct Code and Title IX.

At both forums, Engstrom reviewed general information about the nine cases that surfaced during the investigation and said none of them had a common perpetrator. Three of those cases ended in expulsion of the perpetrators from the University under the Student Conduct Code. Another three instances continue to be investigated, and the remaining three cases are stalled in what Engstrom described as a lack of victim participation.

"Without the involvement of the victims it is very difficult to get meaningful and reliable information," Engstrom said at the faculty update. An April letter from the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights to universities nationwide clarified that colleges must investigate cases even before a victim comes forward and even if they choose not to file a formal complaint.

During her seven weeks working for UM as an outside investigator, Diane Barz, a former state supreme court justice, released two reports on the investigation and was paid more than $11,000.

The first, submitted Dec. 31, called for an extension on the investigation as permitted by federal law, but did say there was evidence of non-consensual sex and unclear reporting policies.

The second and final report was submitted on Jan. 31 and listed local reporting options and resources for victims, an overview of her findings, a conclusion and list of nine recommendations, one of which was to conduct a second audit of UM policies after any changes are made this year. She said her work was hindered by a lackluster response from students who were at parties where alleged attacks happened and the dishonesty of those who did come forward.

Barz suggested adding more "readily available" information to resources for victims on the school's website, increasing personnel training on how to handle and report sexual assault allegations, ensuring SARC has enough money to appropriately respond to victims and offer support, and forming student-run outreach programs to encourage healthy lifestyles and offer support in academic and social activities.

Barz also recommended all student-athletes and UM freshmen take a "101-type class" to learn about social norms expected to be observed, appropriate sexual relationships and practices, the consequences of risky behavior from alcohol to casual sex, and information on resources for mental health, chemical dependence and sexual harassment issues.

TWO STUDEN FORUMS SCHEDULED

Students attending either forum will break into facilitated discussion groups to talk about the causes of sexual violence, its consequences on individuals and prevention. The National Coalition Building Institute of Missoula will facilitate the discussions.

Monday, Feb. 13, 5-7 p.m. in the UC Ballroom

Feb. 22, 4 p.m. in the UC Theater

 

cody.blum@umontana.edu

spencer.veysey@umontana.edu