Though the new school year is just barely in session, University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) President Christian Ragland is already working to combat sexual assaults by planning for various events around Penn State U.’s campus this semester.
After several cases were reported within the first six weeks of the 2009-10 academic year, Ragland decided to take action within the first few weeks of the semester by organizing a march for sexual assault. Coordinating the march in only four days, Ragland said more than 200 people signed up — and he is confident that this year, with more preparation, even more will participate.
Peggy Lorah, director of the Center for Women Students, said Ragland’s intent on raising awareness is a worthy one. “I think he’s really committed to the issue,” Lorah said. “And I’m glad that Christian and UPUA are interested in the instance of sexual assault.”
Lorah said Ragland has wasted no time in getting involved.
In addition to organizing a march last year, Lorah said he partnered with the Center for Women Students and the Centre County Women’s Resource Center in hopes of spreading more awareness throughout the community.
“What we really want to do is bring awareness for first-year students,” Ragland said. “We want them to know that this is an issue we take very seriously on campus.”
Working to make this topic prominent in student’s minds, Ragland is off to a running start, Lorah said. “Christian is committed as the student body president and he is committed to this issue,” she said. “It’s important to educate people on this topic.”
With new policies in the works and various student groups joining forces with UPUA, Centre County Women’s Resource Center Director Anne Ard said Ragland is making the right moves.
Ragland, who hopes to continue policies that promote safety, said he is now planning different events to raise awareness.
“He’s doing what he needs to do by talking with these organizations that have the most expertise,” Ard said. “He’s shaping his goals.”
Ragland said last year’s work with sexual assault is the foundation for what this year has to bring.
“My goal is to get academics as a unit to advocate against sexual assault,” Ragland said.
Among his plans for the Penn State community, he hopes to bring male leaders on campus together to talk about the issues involved with sexual assault. Ragland said it would be very powerful for students to hear a diverse group of men speak out on the issue.
“We want people to know that they don’t have to be victims,” he said. “They can be survivors.”