UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

The University of Texas at Tyler Announces Results of Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments Report

March 24, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Students at The University of Texas at Tyler feel the campus is safe and that the university responds to their needs according to the results of a UT System study on sexual assault and misconduct. The study also gave the university more information about students' experiences with these behaviors, Dr. Michael Tidwell announced.

"This study helps us better understand the effectiveness of our current measures and will help us make adjustments for the short and long term to ensure that UT Tyler continues to be a safe and welcoming community for all," Tidwell said. "We deeply appreciate the work of the UT System and researchers in helping us explore sexual misconduct among the UT Tyler community."

The Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments report, commissioned by the UT System and conducted by the UT Austin Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, is the most detailed, comprehensive survey of sexual assault and misconduct in the nation that has ever been undertaken by an institution of higher education.

"If we want to understand and continuously improve our campus culture in order to facilitate student success, then we have to be open and honest about our students' experiences beyond the classroom, no matter how uncomfortable it is," McRaven said. "I'm pleased that UT institutions have numerous, effective programs to serve victims of sexual assault and misconduct, and with new knowledge, we can and must do better. The findings of this study shine a brighter light on sexual assault and misconduct that affects UT students and give us a deeper understanding of how to address these problems."

CLASE is part of a $1.7 million multi-year study spearheaded by McRaven. Noel Busch-Armendariz, Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault director, led the research.

Of the 8,400 students at The University of Texas at Tyler invited to participate in the survey, 1,149 voluntarily and confidentially completed the online questionnaire, which is a good and typical response rate for web-based surveys, according to researchers.

The survey focused on three areas:

• Students' experiences related to sexual assault and misconduct on and off campus since their enrollment at The University of Texas at Tyler.

• Students' perceptions of the university's responses to these issues.

• The impact of these forms of violence on students, such as missed classes or work, depression or increased use of drugs and alcohol.

Because sexual assault and misconduct often go unreported, particularly among college students, it's critical to understand the extent of the problem, according to Busch-Armendariz, who is an expert in interpersonal violence and also serves as UT Austin's associate vice president for research.

"The report supports some of our own observations such as the common occurrence of incidents involving sexual harassment and dating/domestic abuse and violence on our campus. We are diligently working to address those incidents and support those victims while also providing education as a preventative measure for all students," said Blake Bumbard, The University of Texas at Tyler Title IX coordinator.

In the last four years, The University of Texas at Tyler has steadily expanded and implemented programs and services designed to continue support and educate students regarding these behaviors.

• The Department of Student Services has added a Victims' Advocacy Program to support and assist victims.

• Completing the HAVEN online training course is required of all students prior to registering for classes. The program is designed to help users understand sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and sexual harassment.

• Plans are to implement the HAVEN faculty/staff training module to complement the existing training provided through new hire orientation and the biannual employee compliance training.

For more information on the CLASE results, visit utsystem.edu/sites/clase.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.