Sexual Violence Prevention: Campus Climate Survey Report

2023 SUNY Upstate Campus Climate Survey

 

Executive Summary

Consistent with New York State Education Law 129-B and policies of The State University of New York, SUNY Cobleskill participated in the 2023 Sexual Violence Prevalence (SVP) Campus Climate Survey.  This confidential survey was administered to students and employees and is required to address, at minimum, student and employee knowledge about:

• The Title IX Coordinator’s role;
• Campus policies and procedures addressing sexual assault;
• How and where to report sexual violence as a victim/survivor or witness;
• The availability of resources on and off campus, such as counseling, health, academic assistance;
• The prevalence of victimization and perpetration of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on and off campus during a set time period (for example, the last two years);
• Bystander attitudes and behavior;
• Whether victims/survivors reported to the University and/or police, and reasons why they did or did not report.
• The general awareness of the difference, if any, between the institution’s policies and the penal law; and
• The general awareness of the definition of affirmative consent.

 

In reviewing the overall results, the survey indicated that students and employees are generally aware of campus sexual and interpersonal violence-related policies and resources and that students and employees are generally aware of how to report formal complaints of sexual assault on campus. 

The survey also indicated that more information, outreach, and follow-up are needed to share resources and reporting options with students. 

If you have any questions about the survey or the results included in this report, please contact:

Mary Elhakam
Title IX Coordinator
518.255.5999, elhakam@cobleskill.edu, Knapp Hall 143

 

Background

The SVP survey is administered every other year by all SUNY campuses, who work closely with SUNY System Administration to coordinate the survey administration itself.  An effort is made to keep the questions from one administration to the next as consistent as possible to allow for reliable and meaningful longitudinal data.  System-wide IRB review takes place for each survey administration.

Our campus administered the student survey between March 20 and April 10, 2023, and the employee survey between April 10 and May 1, 2023.  An invitation was sent to all eligible survey participants followed by several reminder emails.  Excluded survey populations were individuals under 18 years of age, all incarcerated individuals regardless of age, and all students concurrently enrolled in high school regardless of age. 

 

Results

SUNY Cobleskill had 250 students and 122 employees submit a survey response, for response rates of 16% and 35%, respectively.  Both are a decrease from participation rates in 2021, where response rates were 38% for students and 40% for employees.  Unlike previous administrations in 2019 and 2021, incentives were not offered for completion of the survey to students.  This was likely a factor in the lower response rates for 2023. 

Students Respondents

Student Demographics

Most of the student respondents indicated living in campus housing (66.9%).  Over a quarter (25.6%) reported having a disability or chronic health condition and less than a quarter (20.0%) were first generation students.

Respondents identified their gender as follows (students were able to choose multiple responses):

• 0% women;
• 4% men;
• 8% non-binary;
• 6% transgender;
• 6% genderqueer/gender-fluid.

The sexual orientation of respondents was as follows:

• Respondents were primarily heterosexual (67.8%);
• 5% identified as gay;
• 5% identified as lesbian;
• 4% identified as bisexual;
• 2% identified as asexual;
• 1% identified as pansexual;
• 3% identified as queer;
• 3% were questioning/unsure.

 

Title IX Policies & Resources

The following section relates to students’ knowledge and awareness of SUNY Cobleskill’s Title IX Office, policies and procedures, as well as campus and community resources.

• The vast majority of students (80.9%) reported knowing the campus has policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.
• Most students (67.4%) reported knowing how to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
• Most students reported awareness of the role of the Title IX Coordinator.
  • 0% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to receiving reports of sex discrimination/sexual assault/ sexual misconduct;
  • 5% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to coordinating the campus response;
  • 5% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to ensuring training/education to the campus; and
  • 0% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to providing accommodations and services to reporting individuals.
• Most students responded knowing how to report Title IX incidents, with:
  • 4% knowing how to report a sexual assault;
  • 5% knowing how to report sexual harassment;
  • 8% knowing how to report domestic violence/dating violence;
  • 3% knowing how to report stalking; and
  • 5% not knowing how to report any of these types of incidents.
• The top five campus departments where students responded a victim or witness could file a formal complaint of sexual assault were:
  • University Police (95.3%);
  • Title IX Coordinator (87.4%);
  • Counseling Center (79.6%);
  • Health Center (76.7%); and
  • Human Resources (53.9%).
• Most students reported receiving from SUNY Cobleskill either written or verbal (presentations, trainings) information about sexual assault, including:
  • 1% received information on the definition of sexual assault;
  • 1% received information on how to report a sexual assault;
  • 5% received information on where to go to get help if you or someone you know is sexually assaulted;
  • 8% received information on who to speak to confidentially about a sexual assault;
  • 5% received information on policies prohibiting sexual assault; and
  • 7% reported not receiving information on any of the above.
• The vast majority of students (85.5%) are knowledgeable about the definition of affirmative consent. The vast majority of students (90.6%) reported knowing that someone who is incapacitated cannot provide consent.
• Most students (62.9%) reported knowing the difference between the university disciplinary process and the criminal justice system.
• Most students (67.3%) reported being aware of the amnesty policy (related to the use of drugs and alcohol).
• The top six campus and community resources students reported having an awareness of were:
  • University Police (89.3%);
  • Campus Health Services (77.2%)
  • Counseling Center (66.5%);
  • Local Police/Sheriff (66.5%);
  • Local health services, hospitals (62.9%) and
  • Student Conduct (59.4%)

 

Experiences with Sexual/ Dating/ Domestic Violence and/or Stalking

Respondents reported the following incidents having occurred without their consent within the year preceding the survey:

• 28.2% reported experiencing unwanted sexual comments, sexual slurs, or demeaning jokes;
• 7.7% reported someone viewing their sexual activity/nakedness, or taking explicit pictures/recordings without consent;
• 21.0% reported experiencing unwanted sexually suggestive digital communications, words or images, or both, including emails, texts, social media, or other written communication;
• 7.2% reported having experienced an attempted but not completed incident of being fondled, kissed, or being rubbed up against the private areas of body without consent; 12.9% reported that the act was completed;
• 5.2% reported someone attempted but did not complete the removal of respondent’s clothes without consent; 3.6% reported that the act was completed;
• 2.6% reported that someone attempted, but did not complete, performing oral sex on them or forcing them to perform oral sex without consent; 3.6% reported the act was completed;
• 1.0% reported that someone attempted, but did not complete, sexual penetration (by inserting penis, fingers or object into vagina or anus) without consent; 6.2% reported the act was completed.

For the respondents who reported an incident, 38.4% of the perpetrators were affiliated with the campus community.  27.4% of respondents filed a formal complaint about the incident with the college.  64.4% of respondents who reported an incident did not tell anyone.

For those who decided not to report the most recent incident to SUNY Cobleskill, the top 6 reasons/concerns were (could choose all that applied):

• “I did not think it was important enough” (58.1%);
• “I just did not want to deal with it” (51.2%);
• “I was ashamed or embarrassed” (32.6%);
• “I did not recognize it as sexual assault at the time” (30.2%);
• “I was worried it was partly my fault” (25.6%);
• “I thought I would be blamed for what happened” (23.3%);

 

 

Intimate Partner Violence

Students were asked about experiences with intimate partner violence (intimate partner was defined as “a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or anyone [the respondent] was in an intimate relationship with or hooked up with, including exes and current partners”) within the past year.

• 12.6% of students reported that an intimate partner controlled or attempted to control them;
• 8.9% of students reported that an intimate partner threatened to hurt them, their family/friends, or themselves, in order to influence their partner; and
• 6.3% of students reported they have been scratched, slapped, hit, kicked, beaten, punched, or physically harmed by an intimate partner.

56.7% of students told someone about the most recent incident of intimate partner violence and 5.9% filed a formal complaint about the incident with the college. 

 

Stalking

12.7% of students reported that a stranger/friend/current or ex-partner repeatedly followed, watched, texted, called, emailed, or communicated with them in ways that seemed obsessive and made them afraid and concerned for their safety.

54.2% of students told someone about the most recent incident and 41.7% filed a formal complaint about the incident with the college. 

 

Overall, students were asked if incidents of sexual violence, dating/domestic violence and stalking made them change their educational plans, and reported:

• 10.4% of students reported changing academic schedule and/or housing.

 

College Response

Students were asked about their perceptions of how their fellow students would respond and how SUNY Cobleskill would respond, in various situations.  The following results indicate if a student answered “Very Likely” or “Likely” or “Strongly Agree” or “Agree.”

• 44.4% reported that a fellow student would express their discomfort if someone made a joke about a person’s body;
• 54.0% reported that a fellow student would call 911 for help if they heard a neighbor yelling “help”;
• 64.7% reported that a fellow student would get help and resources for a friend who disclosed they had been assaulted;
• 53.5% reported that a fellow student would confront a friend who told them they had sex with someone who was passed out or who did not give consent; and
• 52.9% reported that a fellow student would tell a resident assistant or other campus authority about information that might help in a sexual assault case, even if pressured by their friends to stay silent.

 

Students’ perceptions about how the campus would respond to a formal complaint of sexual violence:

• 69.5% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would take the report seriously;
• 61.0% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would conduct a fair investigation; and
• 67.9% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would provide the student with the necessary support during the process.

 

 

Employee Respondents

Employee Demographics

Most of the employee respondents indicated having worked for SUNY Cobleskill for six years or longer  (68.9%).  The respondents were equally divided between Faculty (49.6%) and Staff/ Administrators (50.4%).   The vast majority were employed full-time (89.3%). 

Respondents identified their gender as follows (employees able to choose multiple responses):

• 8% women;
• 6% men;
• 0% non-binary;
• 0% transgender;
• 8% genderqueer/gender-fluid.

The sexual orientation of respondents was as follows:

• Respondents were primarily heterosexual (83.8%);
• 9% identified as gay;
• 6% identified as lesbian;
• 4% identified as bisexual;
• 0% identified as asexual;
• 0% identified as pansexual;
• 7% identified as queer;
• 0% were questioning/unsure.

 

Title IX Policies & Resources

The following section relates to employees’ knowledge and awareness of SUNY Cobleskill’s Title IX Office, policies and procedures, as well as campus and community resources.

• The vast majority of employees (95.0%) reported knowing the campus has policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.
• Most employees (90.3%) reported knowing how to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
• Most employees reported awareness of the role of the Title IX Coordinator.
  • 2% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to receiving reports of sex discrimination/sexual assault/ sexual misconduct;
  • 3% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to coordinating the campus response;
  • 6% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to ensuring training/education to the campus; and
  • 8% reported knowledge of the Title IX Coordinator role in regard to providing accommodations and services to reporting individuals.
• Most employees responded knowing how to report Title IX incidents, with:
  • 3% knowing how to report a sexual assault;
  • 4% knowing how to report sexual harassment;
  • 6% knowing how to report domestic violence/dating violence;
  • 6% knowing how to report stalking; and
  • 0% not knowing how to report any of these types of incidents.
• The top five campus departments where employees responded a victim or witness could file a formal complaint of sexual assault were:
  • University Police (99.1%);
  • Title IX Coordinator (98.2%);
  • Health Center (91.7%);
  • Counseling Center (90.8%); and
  • Human Resources (85.3%).
• Most employees reported receiving from SUNY Cobleskill either written or verbal (presentations, trainings) information about sexual assault, including:
  • 2% received information on the definition of sexual assault;
  • 4% received information on how to report a sexual assault;
  • 5% received information on where to go to get help if you or someone you know is sexually assaulted;
  • 5% received information on who to speak to confidentially about a sexual assault;
  • 9% received information on policies prohibiting sexual assault; and
  • 3% reported not receiving information on any of the above.
• The vast majority of employees (92.9%) are knowledgeable about the definition of affirmative consent. The vast majority of employees (94.7%) reported knowing that someone who is incapacitated cannot provide consent.
• Most employees (90.3%) reported knowing the difference between the university disciplinary process and the criminal justice system.
• Most employees (71.7%) reported being aware of the amnesty policy (related to the use of drugs and alcohol).
• Most employees (78.8%) reported being aware the difference between confidentiality and privacy.
• The top six campus and community resources students reported having an awareness of were:
  • University Police (99.1%);
  • Human Resources (95.4%);
  • Campus Health Services (90.8%)
  • Counseling Center (87.2%);
  • Student Conduct (84.4%); and
  • Local Police/Sheriff (76.1%).

 

Experiences with Sexual/ Dating/ Domestic Violence and/or Stalking

Respondents reported the following incidents having occurred within the year preceding the survey:

• 13.6% of employees reported personally experiencing unwanted sexual comments, sexual slurs, or demeaning jokes;
• 5.6% of employees reported personally experiencing unwanted sexually suggestive digital communications, words or images, or both, including emails, texts, social media, or other written communication;
• 13.8% of employees have had students disclose that they were a victim of an unwanted sexual experience (including sexual assault), domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, regardless of where such incident is reported.

Of the employees in which a student disclosed that they were a victim, 71.4% stated they reported the disclosure to the Title IX Coordinator, University Police/Public Safety, Student Affairs, or another office on campus. 

 

College Response

Employees were asked about their perceptions of how their fellow employees would respond and how SUNY Cobleskill would respond, in various situations.  The following results indicate if a student answered “Very Likely” or “Likely” or “Strongly Agree” or “Agree.”

• 70.1% reported that a fellow employee would talk to a student who they suspect is in an abusive relationship;
• 88.8% reported that a fellow employee would call 911 for help if they heard a neighbor yelling “help”;
• 83.2% reported that a fellow employee would get help and resources for a friend who disclosed they had been assaulted; and
• 68.2% reported that a fellow employee would tell a campus authority about information they have that might help in a sexual assault case even if pressured by their friends to stay silent.

Employees’ perceptions about how the campus would respond to a formal complaint of sexual violence:

• 92.7% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would take the report seriously;
• 84.5% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would conduct a fair investigation; and
• 86.4% reported that SUNY Cobleskill would provide the student with the necessary support during the process.

Employees’ perceptions about how they would personally respond to a formal complaint of sexual violence:

• 0% reported that if a student were sexually assaulted, they would know how to advise them on where to get help on campus; and
• 3% reported that they understand what happens when a student reports sexual assault at my campus.

 

Recommendations

Following a review of the survey results, the Offices of Title IX (Amanda Clark) is recommending the following:

• Enhance student awareness of policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.  Although most students (80.9%) reported knowing the campus has policies and procedures, 19.1% of students did not know or were not sure;
• Expand the written or verbal (presentations, trainings) information about sexual assault to students.  22.7% of students stated they have not received documentation or information on the definition of sexual assault, policies, reporting, or resources;
• Enhance student awareness of Title IX Office. Although most students (67.4%) reported knowing how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, nearly a third of the respondents did not know how to contact the Title IX Coordinator;
• Enhance awareness of the amnesty policy for students and employees. While most students (67.3%) reported being aware of the amnesty policy, 32.7% did not know; Although most employees (71.7%) reported being aware of the amnesty policy, 28.3% did not know;
• Enhance employee awareness on the difference between confidentiality and privacy.  21.2% of employees stated they did not know or were unsure of the difference; and 

Finally, while the MeToo movement has helped more people talk about their experiences with sexual assault, the survey underscores that more work has to be done to destigmatize sexual assault reporting.  

More information about the survey is available at https://www.suny.edu/climatesurvey/.