Training aims to help prevent violence, discrimination

Graduate and professional students can take steps to keep UIC safe and get rewarded for it Feb. 15 through March 15 by completing online training that teaches how to prevent, stop, respond to and report interpersonal violence, harassment and discrimination on campus.

The 90-minute training, part of state and federal requirements, teaches victims and witnesses of interpersonal violence and discrimination how to respond to it and where they can turn to for help on campus. It covers topics of discrimination, harassment prevention, sexual violence, gender-based violence and reporting options and obligations.

UIC employees are required to complete the training. Graduate and professional students are strongly encouraged to participate.

Prevention programs are a result of the university’s Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy and state and federal legislation such as the 2015 Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, Title IX and the 2014 Violence Against Women amendments to the Clery Act.

The programs will make faculty and staff responsible for reporting incidents to the Title IX Coordinator on campus. Government and university officials hope the initiatives help transform university culture, increase campus safety and push for a focus on academic success.

“We demonstrate our commitment to safety and security through strong education and prevention programs to prevent and respond to crimes and other threats to our collective safety and security,” said President Timothy Killeen in announcing the program, noting that he’s making the training a priority.

Students will receive emails for the training with instructions Feb. 15 from ethicsofficer@uillinois.edu; they have 30 days to complete the training (until March 15). Faculty and staff will receive an email with instructions March 1.

“The university has a responsibility to provide an education that’s free from any violence,” said Daniel K. Cairo, visiting assistant director for the Campus Advocacy Network. “So we want to make sure we get a 100 percent reach.”

Graduate and professional students who complete the training on selected dates or in a campus computer lab on Training Lab Days, hosted by the Campus Advocacy Network, will be entered into a prize drawing for a $50 and $75 Amazon gift card. Those who complete the training on “Training Lab Days” will receive a $5 gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts.

“It’s a responsibility for all of us to create a campus that’s safer for everybody,” Cairo said.

More face-to-face prevention trainings are also available on campus in addition to the online programs.

For information, contact the Campus Advocacy Network at can@uic.edu. The Campus Advocacy Network is available as a confidential resource for anyone needing services or further questions about the online training.

Training Lab Days

Graduate and professional students can complete discrimination and sexual violence prevention training to receive a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. 

Feb. 19, 25 and March 4, 11 

8 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–5 p.m., 408 SCE

8 a.m.–5 p.m. B34 SPHPI