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Sexual Assault and Campus Climate Survey

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Today I write to ask each of you for your invaluable time, deep understanding, and strong commitment to the health and safety of our entire community. In the link below, we share the College’s most recent survey data on the student experience and perception of sexual assault.

As many of you will recall, three years ago, CMC joined The Claremont Colleges in administering the national Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) survey.
This year, the five undergraduate institutions and the Keck Graduate Institute again joined the HEDS survey. There are significant methodological differences in the 2015 and 2018 surveys. The two reports should be viewed as separate snapshots, not a basis for longitudinal comparison. In sum, however, both sets of these survey findings strongly call each of us to continue our work to improve both prevention and response.

Accordingly, CMC deans, Title IX and civil rights officers, and students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and trustees continue to work to prevent and respond to sexual assault. We have implemented prevention and education programs, including bystander training, provided confidential resources, and strengthened care and support resources. We continue to engage with our peers in The Claremont Colleges, and regularly review and refine our policies and procedures to ensure an accurate, fair, and timely investigative process in response to all claims. 

As we have pointed out in the past, in absorbing this data, we must keep in mind that behind each percentage, each n of response, is a cherished member of our community. Each sexual assault that goes unreported, each expression of doubt about the willingness of others to intervene and provide support, each misperception of an unfair or ineffective process is profoundly distressing and unacceptable. 

In response, we have a shared responsibility to work harder to improve the safety of our campus:  to strengthen every preventive measure, each condition conducive to reporting, every effective intervention, and the fairness and effectiveness of each procedure. And we need to do our best to take care of those directly and indirectly affected.

Thus, I urge you to review the linked collective results from our institutions, including a letter from the Council of Presidents that introduces the full set of data and FAQS about the survey, as well as CMC’s specific results.

Please also join us at CMC’s community forum on November 1 at 4 p.m. in the Davidson Lecture Hall to discuss the survey results. This is a time for us to challenge ourselves to get better, to support one another, and to come together as a community.

Thank you in advance for your shared commitment to this dialogue and collective effort.

Very best,
Hiram E. Chodosh

2018 Results

Actions Taken by the 7Cs Since 2015 Survey

  • The EmPOWER Center was established in November 2015 to provide 7C-wide educational programs and confidential support to students impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Learn more about the Center’s year-round programming, initiatives, support groups, and drop-in hours on the EmPOWER Center website.
  • In February 2017, the EmPOWER Center launched a revamped, student-friendly website, 7CSupportandPrevention.com. The website provides extensive information about on- and off-campus resources, how to support a survivor, Title IX policies, and reporting options.
  • In 2017, The Claremont Colleges applied for and received a $750,000, three-year grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to address sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking at the 7Cs. The grant is coordinated by the EmPOWER Center in collaboration with 7C Title IX Coordinators and aims to strengthen survivor services, expand prevention education, and build a Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT). CCRT members include the EmPOWER Center, 7C Title IX Coordinators, Campus Safety, Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, the Queer Resource Center, the Claremont Police Department, and Project Sister Family Services. They meet monthly to advance and review progress under the grant initiatives.
  • All 5Cs and KGI now have on staff either a stand-alone Title IX Coordinator or a staff member dedicated to Title IX issues.
  • In spring 2016, a 5C-wide online survey was implemented to assess the Teal Dot Bystander Engagement Training program. Feedback received was used to revise, strengthen, and expand the program across the 5Cs.
  • The colleges have unified key training and prevention efforts, including first-year orientation workshops across the 5Cs and trainings for student leaders, staff, and faculty across the 7Cs.

Additional Information