Mandatory sexual assault awareness training will be removed from the First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP) beginning this summer, prompting concerns from some in the university community.
Real Life Choices, a 40-minute session that all students must attend during the summer preceding their freshman year, will be replaced with a new program that focuses more on the adjustment to college, said Felicia McGinty, associate vice president for student engagement.
McGinty said that she wants to use the session "for a broader discussion beyond just sexual assault," which she said she hopes will better prepare freshman for life in residence halls at Penn State.
Topics will include living and learning in a diverse atmosphere, getting involved and managing time, McGinty said.
The decision has provoked protest from some concerned students who think the removal of the sexual assault program will have serious consequences.
"I think it's incredibly dangerous," said Rob Buelow (senior-psychology), who is a former Real Life Choices facilitator.
"Students aren't going to get the information they need. They'll be unaware of the problem and unable to draw on the resources and information we give them in FTCAP," Buelow added.
Instead of attending the Real Life Choices program, students will be offered sexual assault training in the residence halls during Welcome Week, McGinty said.
She said she thinks offering training in the fall, when students are actually in a university setting, will prove more beneficial.
Buelow said he feels this approach will be ineffective.
"Students aren't going to jump to attend a program that's not mandatory on sexual violence. FTCAP is really the best way to reach incoming students," he said.
Buelow also said most sexual assaults occur within the first weeks of school, and postponing the program could have serious consequences.
"That information is good, and students need to hear it, but not when it comes at the expense of this program," Buelow said. "No one is going to be seriously harmed in their first two months at Penn State by not getting involved or not having good time management skills. But not getting information on rape and sexual assault could be irreparable."
McGinty said that the program will also cover alcohol use and making good decisions.
On Tuesday night, more students voiced their concerns about the change in programming at the annual Take Back the Night rally.
The event, organized by the Center for Women Students, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) and Men Against Violence, protests sexual assault and provided a platform for rape victims and their supporters to share their stories.
"A tiny section on alcohol awareness just doesn't cut it," Mallorie McCue (junior-women's studies and public relations) said during the protest. "We want the full program back and the full education of students."
Pennsylvania State Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Bellefonte) plans to introduce legislation that will allow mandating sexual assault awareness courses at universities statewide this year, his chief of staff Tor Michaels said.
"He was impressed with the training that was in place at Penn State, and that's part of the reason why he wants to see this happening statewide," Michaels said.
Conklin feels that when students are new to the college atmosphere, it is crucial that they be made aware of what sexual assault is and how to avoid situations where it could occur, Michaels said.
"What Penn State is doing is up to them. But if we are successful in passing the legislation, all universities would have to provide this during freshman orientation," Michaels added.
Buelow said he wants the university to reverse the decision before it endangers students.
"I can see the number of reported sexual assaults dropping because of this, but for all the wrong reasons," Buelow said "Not because they're going down, but because Penn State students don't know where they can go to report it."
