Stories of sexual harassment and assault have dominated the media recently. EMU sociology professor Roger Kernsmith and his colleagues wanted to learn more on this phemonenon by developing a campus-wide survey for students asking about their thoughts on the University's sexual misconduct culture. Kernsmith talks all about his project with WEMU's Patrick Campion on this week's "Focus on EMU."
About the Survey
EMU CAMPUS SURVEY ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CULTURE is part of a national initiative to strengthen efforts and provide schools with recommendations and resources to help reduce sexual misconduct on college campuses. Eastern Michigan University is committed to providing a campus environment free from sexual misconduct which includes but is not limited to, sexual coercion, assault, harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence.
WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY?
The purpose is to assess the experiences of students and the degree to which students feel safe and respected. The survey will also ask students about their views on consent and their beliefs about factors leading to sexual misconduct. The questions were designed to be inclusive of the wide range of experiences of our diverse student population. We are also interested in learning more about students’ knowledge of and satisfaction with EMU resources and policies. The data collected will be used to improve campus response, intervention, and prevention efforts within the campus community.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SURVEY?
The survey is sponsored by EMU’s Provost Office. The EMU survey was designed by the EMU Title IX Research Committee (made up of faculty and research administrators) with the
active participation of students and after conversations with stakeholders representing a wide range of campus communities.
WHY IS THE SURVEY IMPORTANT?
Students are the most important part of campus, and your participation is crucial to understanding what is happening on campus and how you feel about it. The benefit to participating is that students’ personal beliefs, perspectives, behaviors, and knowledge will support the development of EMU prevention programs, as well as national knowledge about campus cultures in relation to sexual misconduct.
WHO WILL ANSWER THE SURVEY?
Although participation is voluntary, participants will be randomly chosen from a list of EMU students used to draw a representative sample in order to avoid biases and have the views and experiences of our diverse body of students represented in our survey findings. Participation is, therefore, very important to attain survey findings that will inform EMU’s effort to develop effective responses, interventions, programs, and policies to change campus culture and prevent sexual misconduct. Answers are confidential, and respondents’ names will not be associated with their answers. Students who complete the survey will receive a $10 gift card as a token of appreciation. In addition to that, there will be an opportunity to win a lottery for 1 of 15 $100 Amazon gift cards.
CAN THE SELECTED RESPONDENTS CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
SURVEY?
- Participating in this survey is voluntary.
- Respondents may skip any question that they do not want to answer or stop participation at any time.
HOW WILL THE SURVEY BE CONDUCTED?
In order to achieve and keep strict confidentiality of participants, EMU has contracted an outside survey organization – the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies, which will be responsible for all contacts with EMU participants in the survey, including sending invitation letters and reminders.
- Students will be sent a link to the questionnaire.
- The survey takes about 25 – 35 minutes.
- If you have questions about the survey, go to https://www.emich.edu/climatesurvey/index.php and submit your questions
Resources:
EMU Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminology Department
Title IX Compliance at Eastern Michigan University
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— Patrick Campion is the WEMU Program Director. You can contact Patrick at734.487.3363, on twitter @WEMUPC, or email him at pcampion@emich.edu
