Arianna Jensens Moonshot: Ending Tolerance of Rape and Sexual Assault on the University of

Utah Campus

After joining a Greek organization at the University of Utah my Freshman year of

college, I quickly came to realize that sexual assault and rape on our campus was a huge
problem. Due to the nature of Greek events, I discovered that these occurrences of assault
occurred more frequently due to the high volume of parties as well as the influence that alcohol
plays in many assault cases. While the University of Utah has launched several campaigns these
last three years, I do not believe that enough is being done to enable a no tolerance policy on
our campus. After listening to some of my best friends confide in me the horrors of their assault
stories, it is time to make a serious change in how the University of Utah handles these cases.
While I have not been sexually assaulted during my years at the University of Utah, too
many others have. Every time that I hear of yet another case, my heart aches in distress for the
pain and distress that the victim must be going through. As grateful as I am that friends and
acquaintances feel as though they can come to me for advice and to express their grief, no person
should ever have an assault story to tell. On top of this, they should never again have to run into
their assaulter on campus. Too many students on campus have PTSD from their assaults. Too
many students suffer from anxiety and depression. Too many students must face their assaulters
on a daily basis. This needs to end. The University of Utah needs to better hold those committing
sexual assault and rape accountable for their actions. No tolerance needs to begin now.
My idea for starting a program on the U campus started before hearing about the
documentary The Hunting Ground, but was propelled forward upon a new understanding of
how too often sexual assault and rape occurs on college campuses. It is disturbing, disgusting,
and all together outrageous that American universities are allowing this kind of behavior to
perpetuate and continue for as long as it has.
RAINN statistics show 1 in every 6 women is a victim of rape. This number is even
larger on college campuses, with 3x the likelihood of sexual violence when compared to other
groups of women. While significantly less but still far too many, 1 in 10 rape victims is male.
Also, women between the ages of 18-34 are the highest group reporting rape, the age group of
those attending higher education. This growing issue has become something that I am very
passionate about, and something that I want to change. Ending rape and sexual assault on the
University of Utah campus is an initiative that I am going to pursue.
Currently, I am writing a constitution to present to ASUU and the Dean of Students, Lori
McDonald, in hopes to start an initiative that can work with the Its On Us campaign, to create
a No Tolerance policy for cases of rape and sexual assault at the University of Utah. While
Its On Us is a good start to bring the issue to the attention of the students and have them sign
a pledge to take a stand, there are no repercussions for actually committing sexual assault, at
least that are held up by the U. This initiative will be called something along the lines of Utes
Against Rape. My idea for this organization stemmed from Men Can Stop Rape, an
organization of men who have pledged to stop rape from happening. The idea behind this
organization would be similar to that of Its On Us in the idea that students at the University of
Utah would take a pledge to never commit these violent acts, but also to hold others accountable
and stop sexual assault from occurring as a bystander. The difference would be that Utes
Against Rape would take it a step further, and be a legally binding contract. If a student was
found guilty, decided by the Dean of Students and an anonymous student jury (the victim and
assaulter to remain anonymous as well, decision based solely on facts), the assaulter would then
be expelled from the University of Utah. This no tolerance policy would be strictly held, helping
to put a stop to perpetuating sexual assault cases on our campus. Too often these cases are swept
under the rug, and no serious legal ramifications are taken. These students who have violated
others right to safety should not be allowed to pose a threat to other students on campus.
While not much can be done for victims who do not go to the police or the school with
offenses, I believe by enforcing this policy and holding students accountable to report these
instances, the number of rapes and sexual assault cases on the University of Utah campus should
be greatly reduced.
There will be several obstacles that I must face to instill this organization at the U. The
first of which being the current laws and policies that the University has in place, alongside Title
IX among others. Is this initiative legally plausible? Can the University adopt an initiative like
this, and have the ability to take legal action and expel students? Also, will ASUU and other
entities on campus allow for this organization to exist? While similar organizations exist on other
college campuses across the nation, is the University of Utah ready to take such a big step in the
direction of ending rape on campus and stopping assaulters from existing in order to keep others
safe?
These are just a few of the many questions that are present while I take the next steps in
working with the University to make a change that will positively affect the lives of many, and
stop those who have harmed others while attending the University of Utah. To be honest, I am
not quite sure the other barriers that may exist, as with something this large, I am sure that there
are many. The next step will be to meet with the Dean to see the plausibility of my plan, and
what the following means of operation will be.
A few things that will play in my favor while installing this organization at the U are that
I know several people who can help me along the way. The first resource that I have is that I am
personally friends with both the President and Vice President of ASUU. It would be possible for
me to meet with them and take suggestions as how to proceed should I meet a wall in the
process. They also have power to make or break an organization registered with ASUU.
My second resource is that I know and share connections with the Dean of Students, Lori
McDonald, as well as Nick Robbins the person next in line to Ms. McDonald, and also over the
Greek community at the U. These two will be very important in my plan to get this organization
up and running within the next year, as they have a lot of power over student groups and
organizations that operate at the University.
Finally, something else that plays in my favor is belonging to the Greek Community
itself. Organizations start with members, and I know of at least two hundred students who would
take a pledge and join the organization in a heartbeat. This is beneficial, as it is a great start to
holding students at the U accountable for their actions- especially in the community where sexual
assault is most prevalent. As this organization would be mostly volunteer based, it is also
important to find members willing to reach out to other communities and colleges at the U to
create word and help the initiative reach its full potential.
Having held as well as currently holding other leadership positions on campus, my
experience in leading students to success will greatly play a role in the success of this campaign.
These positions have introduced me to many important people across campus who would be
willing to aid in the creation of this initiative. I believe that currently, I have a good foot in the
door while getting Utes Against Rape up and running at the University of Utah.
 My short term goals are to finish drafting a constitution for the organization, and to plan
meetings with both the Dean of Students, and the ASUU board to discuss the viability of this
organization. I also hope to meet with a lawyer who is familiar with the laws around this topic
who could tell me what legal challenges I may face in the process. Having discussed this with
several people, my first win is having a handful of people already wanting to help and pledging
their aid to this project. Currently, I have enough members to start an organization at the U
according to the ASUU guidelines.
While I am still unsure of the outcome of starting this organization at the University of
Utah, I know that my leadership skills, connections, and place within the Greek community will
aid in the success of this project. As it may be a longshot, it is a risk that I am ready to take, and I
will work endless hours to see it come to life. Rape and sexual assault on college campuses needs
to stop, and I am here to help make that happen.

Sources:

https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
http://www.mencanstoprape.org