SUNY Potsdam Students Plan Week of Action to Combat Sexual Assault

'It's On Us' Student Organizers Announce Week of Events for Campus and Community from Nov. 16 to 22

Related Media

SUNY Potsdam students have organized a week of action to combat campus sexual assault, as part of the national It’s On Us campaign.

POTSDAM, NY (11/14/2014)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam students have planned a week of action to combat campus sexual assault, as part of the national It's On Us campaign.

Student Government Association Vice President Scott Turner '15 is one of the national student organizers for the It's On Us campaign. In addition to his SGA role, he has also spearheaded the creation of a student action committee to bring the White House-led campaign to SUNY Potsdam.

All events are free, and open to both campus and community.

The schedule of events is as follows:

  • Sunday, Nov. 16: There will be a kickoff event from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union lobby. This drive will encourage students, faculty, staff and visitors to sign the It's On Us pledge and learn more about what they can do to prevent sexual assault. Refreshments will be provided, along with music from WAIH "The Way," the College's student-run radio station.
  • Monday, Nov. 17: Annette Robbins, director of student conduct and community standards, will lead a presentation on what to do if your friend has been sexually assaulted, at 8 p.m. in the Knowles Hall Multi-Purpose Room. She will provide information about campus resources and policies, as well as advice on how to support survivors of sexual assault.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 18: Staff from Renewal House, Canton, will speak about off-campus resources for survivors, as well as discussing sexual assault in relationships, at 8 p.m., also in the Knowles MPR.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 19: There will be a bystander awareness and action event at 8 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room. This event will teach participants about how to get off the sidelines and intervene when they see a situation that might put someone at risk.
  • Thursday, Nov. 20: An event titled "Love Potions Do Not Equal Consent" will be offered at 8 p.m. in Barrington Student Union Room 204. The session will include statistics on date rape drugs and the use of alcohol to incapacitate an intended victim, as well as warning signs and information on what to look out for.
  • Friday, Nov. 21: There will be a gender-neutral self-defense class at 6 p.m. in the Maxcy Hall Dance Studio.
  • Saturday, Nov. 22: There will be a closing rally from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the student union. The rain location is the Barrington lobby. SUNY Potsdam singer-songwriter Greg Shilling will perform.

It's On Us is a movement that aims to create a cultural shift in the way we think, talk and act, when it comes to sexual assault. For more information, visit www.itsonus.org.

To learn more about student conduct and community standards at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/studentconduct/bear.cfm.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $27 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

###