Organizers said they hope to expedite the pace of changes to the sexual assault policy and push for consistency across the University's various schools. To depict what they say are difficulties in effecting policy change, they drew a large flow chart of various campus administrators on the room’s chalkboard.
Still, organizer Kate Sim ’14 said that modifications to sexual assault policy have historically resulted from student advocacy. She pointed specifically to the creation of the Office of Sexual Assault and Prevention in 2003.
Sim also expressed her frustration with what she alleges amounts to the refusal of administrators to assume responsibility for appropriate action against perpetrators of sexual violence.
“I don’t want to go to school with rapists and abusers, where I know administrators are knowingly allowing [them] to complete their education,” she said.
Mira S. Hayward ’17, who attended the event, said she was excited to get involved with further efforts of Our Harvard Can Do Better.
“I really don't want this to be something that is pushed to the side because people think that it is being addressed," Hayward said.
—Staff writer Noah J. Delwiche can be reached at noah.delwiche@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @ndelwiche.
—Staff Writer Joanna R. Schacter can be reached at joanna.schacter@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaSchacter.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
CORRECTION: April 10, 2014
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Title IX complaint against the College by members of Our Harvard Can Do Better was filed last week. In fact, the complaint was announced last week but filed on March 28.