Alumni

Alums Take Action!

Whether you are a graduate who fought to reform sexual assault policy while you were at school or an alum who is just realizing how much better your school could be doing at sexual assault prevention, here are some ways to stay involved or get involved now:

• Keep connected to the student body.  Is your school in the Campus Accountability Project Policies Database?  If not, encourage a current student to submit their policy research today!  If your alma mater has a sexual violence prevention organization, email them and ask if they are satisfied with the current sexual assault policy and related programs (such as emergency contraception access, access to counseling, etc.). If they have noticed problems, let them know about SAFER. If no such group exists on campus, contact an affinity group (like a feminist, LGBT, or other progressive organization) about the lack of student activism on the issue. Student newspapers often cover campus assaults that don't make it to local and national press, and most of them have websites---stay informed. 
• Be vocal. University administrations respond to alumni---after all, they rely on alumni support, especially at smaller institutions. If you're aware of the mishandling of an assault case, the poor condition of a policy, or a lack of relevant services, make your disapproval known to the Dean of Students, President's, and Alumni Affairs Offices. When possible, offer examples from other schools who are handling the issue better or who have received bad publicity for their poor policies. You can use our campus sexual assault policies database to find such examples.
• Stay involved on a larger level. It sounds obvious, but it's important to engage the issue in everyday life. Speak up when you hear someone repeating a rape myth, or write letters to media organizations and retailers that perpetuate them. One great place to speak up is in the comments section of your alma mater's student newspaper; unfortunately we often notice rape myths running rampant there.
• Volunteer for SAFER! We are always looking for bloggers, fundraisers, grant writers, accountants, web designers, and anyone else who wants to help out.  For more information please e-mail volunteer@safercampus.org, or check out our Support Us page.
• Donate. We are a volunteer-run non-profit and we rely on grants and donations for all of our work.  There are lots of ways you can help, including checking out our store, or donating directly to us online. 
• Become a Board member. SAFER's board members must be current students or have graduated within the past eight years. We think it is crucial that the people running the organization know what life is like on college campuses today. We accept applications from January through March each year, with new member orientation occurring in May and official terms starting in July.