SUNY Canton Launches Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign with Selfie Challenge

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Hundreds of students hold “It’s on Us” signs at a SUNY Canton talent show. The college is launching a selfie challenge to increase awareness about sexual assault on college campuses.

CANTON, NY (10/09/2014)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton is joining the growing movement to combat sexual assault on college campuses by challenging all students to a selfie competition.

Students are encouraged to take photos of themselves promoting the national "It's On Us" campaign and post them on Instagram and other social media sites.

"U.S. President Barack Obama launched the It's On Us campaign as a rally cry for everyone to realize that the solution to sexual assault and violence begins with all of us," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "We are joining in the It's On Us campaign by using social media to promote the theme. It's a very good thing when SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand, our president and our students all are speaking with one voice about this important issue."

Student Government Association President Melissa Cummins officially launched the campaign at "Canton's Got Talent" during Homecoming weekend. She orchestrated a large group photograph of students holding It's On Us signs.

Selfie Competition Details

Students should post photos promoting the It's On Us campaign using their own Instagram accounts. The college will monitor responses by searching for the hashtags #sunycanton and #itsonus. Students are also invited to tag the college's Instagram account, @sunycantongram, when posting their photos. The first-place selfie submission will receive a night out on the town, including transportation and dinner for two at the 1844 House and a movie at the American Theater. Winners will be announced publicly during one of two Oct. 20 sexual assault awareness events listed below.

Entrants are encouraged to take unique selfie-style photos around SUNY Canton and the community holding a sign recognizing the It's On Us motto or the key points of the campaign. Photo submissions may be retweeted, posted or otherwise used to support the college's efforts.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

SUNY Canton is sponsoring numerous outreach programs for students during the month of October focusing on sexual assault awareness, prevention and student safety, including:

• A Break the Chain program focusing on dating, domestic violence and sexual violence beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Woodcock Conference Suites. The program will conclude with a candlelight vigil. Canton's Renewal House and the college's Counseling Center and several student clubs are involved with planning the event.
• The college is also sponsoring the improvisational show "Sex Signals" that explores how social pressures, gender stereotypes and false preconceptions all contribute to the tensions found in dating. Sex Signals will also be held at 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Kingston Theater. The winner of the selfie challenge will be announced at the show.

There will also be several outreach programs in the residence halls and numerous informational tables to raise awareness of sexual assault on campus during the month of October.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-