USAC passes unanimous resolution against Safe Campus Act
By Nicholas Yu
Dec. 3, 2015 6:08 p.m.
The undergraduate student government unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday against a federal bill that would require victims of sexual assault to report incidents to law enforcement before universities can investigate claims.
Under the Safe Campus Act, the university would be able to provide health care and psychological services to sexual assault survivors, but would not be able to take any immediate disciplinary actions, said Carolyn Henrich, a federal government relations director for the University of California Office of the President.
Several council members said they were concerned the bill would limit the opportunities sexual assault survivors have to receive help.
Internal Vice President Heather Hourdequin said she thinks victims should be able to decide whether they report to police or campus agencies such as Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, and the Title IX Office.
General Representative Anais Amin said she thinks the bill would prevent some sexual assault survivors from getting the support they want.
“As a survivor of assault myself, I believe the entire process should be focused on the survivor and helping them deal with a traumatic situation instead of limiting their control,” Amin said.
Several students said they think the Safe Campus Act would help ensure that all reports are true.
“The issue of false accusations is serious and we have to ensure due process in all cases,” said Anthony Thielemann, a third-year chemical engineering student.
The National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference, two umbrella organizations that represent a combined total of 100 Greek organizations, initially supported the bill after it was introduced in July and spent $200,000 lobbying for its passage, according to the Huffington Post.
However, the two conferences withdrew their support from the bill in November after individual chapters at several college campuses voiced concerns about it, according to statements released by the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference.
A congressional committee is currently reviewing the bill and will decide whether to bring it forward to the House or Senate.
Contributing reports by Amanda Wilcox and Kartik Kolachina, Bruin contributors.
