I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the UMD community for completing the Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct online training. As of today, 98.94% of UMD employees and 99.76% of UMD supervisors have completed the training, which translates to only 11 employees and 1 supervisor at UMD who have not yet finished the training module. The Office of Human Resources for the University of Minnesota System will follow-up with those who did not complete this requirement. In addition, they will develop a process for all new employees to take the online training as part of their onboarding at UMD.
Combating sexual assault and sexual harassment continues to be a priority at UMD, and this one training alone will not be enough to achieve our goal of a campus that is safe and welcoming to everyone. However, it is a positive beginning in the right direction. I will follow-up on the recent and productive discussion I had with the UMD Commission for Women about the training and what next steps we can take to reinforce the principles found in the training module.
The UMD Sexual Violence Response Team is also developing follow-up initiatives to the online training in order to give faculty and staff ongoing opportunities to further develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to combat inappropriate behavior. We also need to continue our efforts to ensure that victims know how and when to report incidents and how to acquire the support they need. We also need to equip supervisors with the skills and knowledge necessary to assist employees and to create ever better work environments. Additional information about the UMD Chancellor's Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct can be found here: http://d.umn.edu/sexual-assaul
Like the prevention of racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination, preventing sexual misconduct begins with understanding when behaviors are inappropriate. In addition, individuals should take an honest look at their own biases and commit to not engaging in harmful behaviors or excusing the bad behaviors of others.
Thank you again for your efforts to create the welcoming and inclusive campus climate we all deserve.
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
