Spring Program Series Planned as part of VU's Voices United Campaign

January 29, 2015 -  VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University is planning a series of spring programs as part of its Voices United campaign. Voices United is a VU initiative that began last fall in support of the “It’s On Us” initiative launched by the White House to end sexual violence on campuses nationwide.

“The spring programming at VU builds on last fall’s activities in support of the White House initiative announced by President Obama last September. The programming at VU addresses a number of facets of the problem, including alcohol and substance abuse that contribute to the problem of sexual violence. I am pleased that the campus community is so supportive of these efforts,” said VU President Dick Helton.

Posters featuring five VU students are displayed throughout campus with the message that “We take a stand to prevent sexual violence.”  VU’s web site also has a special link, https://www.vinu.edu/itsonus, which highlights information and campus programs on the topic.

Kicking off spring activities for Voices United, the Student Activities Office sponsored an information table at the Campus Club and Organization Fair on Tuesday. The table also included information about Indiana’s Lifeline law which provides immunity and legal protections for certain alcohol related offenses to those who seek help in a medical emergency or report a crime.

Indiana’s Lifeline law will also be the topic for presentation on Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. (EST) at VU’s Red Skelton Performing Arts Center. Indiana State Senator Jim Merritt, sponsor of the law, will be joined by Dr. Marty Cangany, and parents Norm and Dawn Finbloom, whose son died from alcohol poisoning, although he was with others who knew he was in trouble. The presentation will be sponsored by the VU Housing/Residential Life Office, Counseling Center, Admissions Office, and President’s Office.

The Voices United campaign will also feature a Feb. 11 program by Julia Garcia, “Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Everything In-between,” in which the former college athlete describes how her world fell apart after excessive partying, a sexual assault, and the death of a friend.

Additional information on these topics will be promoted during VU’s Annual Health Fair that is scheduled on Feb. 25 at Tecumseh Dining Center.

On March 24, the program “Sex Signals” returns to campus. Using audience participation, improvisational comedy and education, the program looks at issues surrounding dating, sex and date rape on college campuses. Through the program, students are encouraged to engage in a candid discussion and challenged to provide solutions that will better communication and interpersonal relationships.

VU’s Spring Fling weekend in April will also incorporate activities to reinforce these messages, such as challenging students to wear “beer goggles” that demonstrate the impairment that comes with overconsumption. “Like our other sister institutions in Indiana, VU is committed to improve the campus environment and safety measures for our students, including best practices to combat sexual assault and harassment. This has been part of our programming for many years and is now incorporated in support of the government’s increased emphasis on sexual assault prevention on college campuses nationwide,” Helton said.

For information about Vincennes University campus policies, visit www.vinu.edu/policies.