In the past, however, the advisors, who are members of the Ad Board, participated in the deliberations of the case. Students may now select another advisor from other members of the Ad Board.

The Task Force report suggested the advisors remove themselves from the voting process.

In addition, advisors will now sit in when both students appear before the subcommittee and will inform the students they advise of what was said.

Strides in Education

Despite the rejection of its most publicized proposals, College officials say the Task Force played a strong role in the education of the Ad Board and the community as a whole.

Date rape on college campuses is now extensively treated in the Ad Board's annual orientation sessions, MacKay-Smith said.

In addition, she said there is ongoing training throughout the year. Speakers have come from outside groups and student groups to address the issue.

While these programs existed prior to the Task Force's inception, MacKay-Smith said they have been greatly strengthened.

"The meetings that were held were very fruitful," said Dean of Radcliffe Philipps Bovett, who is also a member of the Ad Board. "I think the Board has achieved a better understanding of the issue and I think sensitivity goes along with the understanding."

Jewett says an important contribution of the Task Force is to address the lack of sensitivity in the community at large.

As a result of the Task Force's efforts, Viggiani says funding from the College for educational programs has increased. "I have been given more money to expand the training and reach of peer relations and date rape program," she says.

And the increased student interest has been valuable in campus-wide education, Viggiani says.

She cites the play "Calling it Rape" and a speaker who worked on victim's rights legislation as new programs arising through the increased funding. "It's much more effective to have a play by students than it is for me to make a speech, or write new policies for that matter," she said.

Jewett says he has seen improvement in College's sensitivity as a whole. "The community in general is much more sensitive to the hurt and to the problems [of victims]," he said. "But we still have a way to go in order to get students educated."

Jewett says that the issue, which arose out of a volatile campus controversy two years ago in which he was charged with insensitivity, was more important than any campus dispute.

"It's too bad that it came around as a misunderstanding, but it was important that the issue get looked at," he says