Michigan State University students, faculty and staff will show support to survivors of sexual assault by dressing in teal to kick off the spring “It’s On Us” Week of Action taking place April 1-5.
The series of events scheduled during the week are a part of MSU’s commitment to a safer, healthier, more respectful campus community through relationship violence and sexual assault prevention.
“Through ‘It’s On Us’ week, we can continue to empower our campus on different ways to prevent sexual and relationship violence and grow as a community” said Kelly Schweda, director of the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department. “This is a way for different student and community groups to engage and support survivors healing.”
As part of the week, Gail Stern, an author and nationally known speaker on sexual assault prevention and awareness, will present “The Canary in the Coal Mine”—a series focused on the foundations of rape culture. The keynote address is scheduled for April 4 from 1-2:30 p.m. and 5-7:30 p.m. at the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
Other “It's On Us” Week of Action events and activities include:
- Trauma Informed Yoga hosted by the Sexual Assault Program
- April 2 from 7-8 p.m. at the Broad Museum
- Open Mic Night hosted by UAB
- April 2 from 8-11 p.m. at the MSU Union
- Start By Believing Day hosted by ASMSU
- April 3 from 10-2 p.m. at Wells Hall
- Coffee hour & resource fair hosted by Office for International Students and Scholars
- April 5 from 4-6 p.m. at the International Center
Several student organizations and campus programs, including the Associated Students of MSU, University Activities Board and the Sexual Assault Program, have partnered with the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department to plan, coordinate and support the week of events.
“It's On Us” was started in 2014 by the White House to assist universities across the country in taking a stand against sexual violence and was originally launched at MSU by ASMSU.