Michigan State University is proud to announce that it will co-host the Public Summit of the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, or NASEM, on Oct. 15-16. The summit will be held in-person and virtually, offering a free, open forum for the higher education community to explore innovative approaches to addressing and preventing sexual harassment. 

This two-day event will convene a diverse group of participants, including members of the Action Collaborative, leaders from the higher education sector, sexual harassment researchers, practitioners, nonprofit organizations and policymakers from across the country. Together, they will collaborate to identify, discuss and elevate promising solutions for creating safer, more inclusive academic environments. 

“We are excited to work with NASEM to bring attention to this important issue,” said Melissa Sortman, assistant provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs. “Our shared commitment to preventing sexual harassment in higher education is reflected in the work happening across MSU’s campus, and we are proud to co-host the summit where we can continue to share and collaborate with our colleagues from across the country.” 

MSU has been a founding member of the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education, an initiative created by NASEM. Recently, MSU’s leadership on this issue has been spotlighted through the publication of an issue paper titled “Exploring Policies to Prevent ‘Passing the Harasser’ in Higher Education,” co-authored by Sortman and Laura Rugless, vice president for civil rights and Title IX coordinator at MSU. 

Building on the research from NASEM’s 2018 report on sexual harassment of women, this summit will serve as a continuation of past discussions and a platform for advancing research, policies and practices that address sexual harassment in academic institutions. 

Aligning with MSU’s RVSM Strategic Plan

This summit also directly aligns with MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct, or RVSM, Strategic Plan, which outlines a comprehensive, university-wide approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. The plan emphasizes improving organizational culture, enhancing prevention efforts and creating trauma-informed responses. Participation in this summit reinforces MSU’s ongoing commitment to those goals and allows the university to both share its progress and learn from innovative practices nationwide. 

“Our RVSM Strategic Plan is a cornerstone of MSU’s dedication to cultivating a safe and respectful campus environment,” said Stephanie Anthony, advisor to the president on RVSM, co-chair of the RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup and co-chair of the preventing passing the harasser committee. “The insights and collaborative strategies emerging from this summit will further enhance our prevention work and continue to strengthen our policies and support systems.” 

The full agenda, along with registration details, is available online. For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs at fasaffairs@msu.edu.