By Lauren Sears
Staff Writer
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul visited The College of Saint Rose on behalf of Gov. Cuomo, to discuss sexual assaults on college campuses on Monday. Sexual assault on college campuses is a hot button issue, due to the fact that numerous colleges do not have a current policy that addresses or handles the issue.
“Because as a parent, I want to know that the place I’m sending my son and daughter is a safe place,” said Hochul.
In November 2013, The Chronicle did a four-story series about sexual assaults on college campuses. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, 11 colleges and universities in New York are under investigation for mishandling sexual assault complaints.
All 64 SUNY colleges and universities adopted new policies regarding sexual assault prevention on their campuses in Oct. 2014. The governor’s new policy proposal includes four components: definition of affirmative consent, a statewide amnesty policy, a Sexual Violence/Victim Survivor Bill of Rights, and comprehensive training requirements.
The goal of Gov. Cuomo’s legislation is to extend the SUNY Policy to all colleges in New York.
For more information about the Governor’s legislation, visit https://www.ny.gov/programs/enough-enough-make-all-new-york-college-campuses-safe
