By Alexandra Sailor

The Student Government Association Senate passed a resolution at their March 18 meeting which recommends greater focus from the university on sexual harassment education in GEN 101 courses.

Resolution 24 recommends that the Faculty Senate “consider adding information about sexual harassment, what it constitutes and what the penalties can be,” effective immediately.

“Although the Faculty Senate has supported the recommendation, neither of these senate committees have jurisdiction over curriculum changes,” Kristin Burgoyne, U of L graduate student and resolution co-author said.

“So, currently we are working through other avenues to ensure that students are given the opportunity to access the online module which already exists.”

This resolution was supported by campus organizations such as Commission on the Status of Women, and Program Prevention, Education, & Advocacy on Campus and in the Community, who are advocating for mandatory sexual harassment training throughout the University of Louisville.

U of L graduate student Amber Carrier, another of the resolution’s authors, said her inspiration for writing it came from being placed on COSW and discussing her mandatory sexual harassment training with her fellow graduate students. Carrier said she feels many students aren’t properly informed about what constitutes sexual harassment.

“We felt it was only fair to help make sure a student is informed as to what they should and should not do in regards to witnessing or being a victim of sexual harassment,” Carrier said.

Many students agree with the resolution and some even assumed it was already a mandatory subject.

“It never hurts to go more into the dangers we have on campus,” freshman biology major Karen Brinkman said.

“It would be nothing but beneficial education if a situation like that ever occurred.” Luke Fuller, a freshman economics major, said. “I know we didn’t talk about it in my classes.”

A copy of the passed resolution is going to be sent to the Dean of Student’s Office, the Staff Senate, and the Provost’s office, and will presented by the SGA to the Faculty Senate.

“I hope that this resolution will help stop some incidents before they start, and help victims realize what their rights are as far as sexual harassment goes.” Carrier said.

Currently PEACC has sexual harassment education modules available to victims of sexual harassment online at louisville.edu/org/peacc.