Last Wednesday, Jan. 30, the Special Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct released a report to the College community analyzing the problem of sexual misconduct on campus and reviewing policies and procedures for handling cases of sexual misconduct. The report, titled Towards a Culture of Respect, concluded with a list of over 60 recommendations aimed at improving the College’s ability to prevent sexual violence and build a culture of respect on campus.
Besides coverage in national publications like The New York Times, Bloomberg and Inside Higher Ed, Angie Epifano’s Oct. 17th op-ed in The Student describing her experiences as a survivor of sexual assault at the College has also generated significant discussion at other colleges and universities around the country, inspiring some survivors to come forward with their own stories and opening up a broader dialogue about sexual assault on campuses nationwide.
Homecoming weekend brought alumni from all different classes and genders back to the College to connect with old friends, watch the football team demolish Williams and see how their alma mater has changed since their time as students. This year, however, alumni also confronted the recent revelations about sexual misconduct and gender discrimination on campus, attending multiple events about sexual respect in addition to their traditional Homecoming itineraries.
In the wake of Angie Epifano’s op-ed published two weeks ago in The Student, President Carolyn “Biddy” Martin and other members of the administration have met with students, faculty, staff and parents to discuss ideas and policies to combat sexual violence and misconduct on campus. Already, President Martin has established a Sexual Respect Oversight Committee composed of students, faculty and staff to make recommendations and oversee policy changes to prevent sexual assault. In addition, President Martin announced a campus-wide ‘moratorium’ for Friday, Nov.
Last Wednesday, Oct. 17, former student Angie Epifano shocked the campus and sparked a heated discussion about sexual respect with her personal “Account of Sexual Assault at Amherst College” published in The Student, which described her experience with the administration and counseling center after being sexually assaulted in May 2011.
Ken Howard ’66 knows show business. A professional actor for more than four decades and the current president of the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG-AFTRA), Howard returned to the College this semester as the Croxton Lecturer in Film and Media Studies, teaching “The Role and the Self.”
Amherst College may soon enter the brave new world of online education.
