UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank paid a visit to the Associated Students of Madison meeting Wednesday to address the Campus Climate Survey, sustainability report and mental health services.
The Association of American Universities released the second Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct Tuesday. The report compares data collected from the 2015 survey and data from 33 schools nationwide to data from the 2019 survey.
Undergraduate women reported the highest rate of sexual assault at 26.1 percent, which is about one in four.
Blank expressed that the stats collected from the survey were distressing and this issue needs cooperation of both staff and students.
“Anything I do on Monday in Bascom Hill ends up having limited effects on Friday and Saturday night on campus,” Blank said. “This is something we have to work together on.”
Blank also addressed the reported relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual assault.
“I am generally concerned about the level of binge drinking on this campus — it’s implicated in sexual assault issues, it’s implicated in crime, it’s implicated in health issues and academic success,” Blank said. “This is what we have to work across the board.”
Improvements since 2015 include an increase in understanding of sexual assault, where to report and who to go to for help following a sexual assault incident. UW-Madison students had higher averages for all three categories compared to all other institutions surveyed.
Blank emphasized integrating students in the decision-making process, especially in combating sexual assault on campus.
“We want students to be engaged in the conversation of what should we do next,” Blank said. “There are forums and dates that have been announced where we hope to have conversations with you.”
Along with expanding resources for sexual assault and misconduct surviors, Blank also addressed mental health resources through University Health Services. Through increased funding, UHS has expanded mental health services through the addition of 13 new counselors.
The second recent report Blank discussed was the STARS report — the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System that scores institutions using various categories: academics, engagement, operations and planning and administration with additional points awarded for innovation and leadership.
The compilation of the STARS report took more than 150 members working eight months. UW-Madison received a silver ranking, which is typical for first-time participants.
Blank is optimistic about collaboration between staff and students to improve UW Madison’s STARS ranking.
“We will have to put in time, energy and resources into in order to move this forward,” Blank said.
