Higher Education
e-Digest
Volume 3 / Issue 6
January 7, 2015
In This Issue:
FROM FEDERAL PARTNERS
  
Request for Public Feedback: A College Ratings Framework

Last year, President Barack Obama directed the U.S. Department of Education to develop and publish a new college ratings system by the 2015-16 school year that would expand college opportunity by recognizing institutions that: excel at enrolling students from all backgrounds; focus on maintaining affordability; and succeed at helping all students graduate. Now the Department of Education is seeking public feedback on the newly-released College Ratings Framework draft. Learn more about the Framework here. Submit comments on the new ratings system by Tuesday, February 17, 2015 here.

Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements


Measuring the problem of sexual violence can be difficult when terminology and data elements are not consistent. Without consistency, monitoring or tracking trends for sexual violence to determine the scope of the problem is challenging. In the effort to continually improve sexual violence data collection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Injury Center has updated this resource. To access Sexual Violence Surveillance, click here. 
 

Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College-Age Females, 1995-2013

 

The Bureau of Justice Statistics has released this report comparing the characteristics of rape and sexual assault victimization against females ages 18 to 24 who are enrolled and not enrolled in college. Using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, this report examines the relationship between the victim and offender, the involvement of a weapon, location of the victimization, reporting to police, perceived offender characteristics, and victim demographics. To access this report and associated statistics, click here. 
NEW RESOURCES
  

Powdered Alcohol: An Encapsulation

The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) has released a document examining the phenomenon of powdered alcohol. Palcohol, a phrase combining the words "powdered" and "alcohol," came into the spotlight when the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau issued and then retracted labels requested by a palcohol vendor. Learn more and download the document here.

Policy Meets Pathways: A State Policy Agenda for Transformational Change

A new report by Jobs for the Future, an organization dedicated to preparing young people for success, says that a decade of interventions and improvements have fallen short in helping community college students to find good jobs because states and campuses have not taken enough steps. Jobs for the Future assert that states need to redouble their efforts to modernize policies, develop more effective approaches that support campuses, and build capacity to strengthen implementation. The report identifies specific strategies states and colleges can follow and outlines model efforts on nine campuses that have made good progress in creating transformational change. Learn more about and access this report here.

 
Risk Management for Student Organizations

PaperClip Communications is offering a risk management resource, including tools and best practices for sound risk management to protect students and the institution. The 120 page binder and CD includes training on preventive measures, legal issues, and do's and don'ts related to risk management. To learn more about this resource, click here.

CampusClarity Resources 

CampusClarity helps schools comply with the SaVE Act and Title IX through online training and resources. Supplemental materials such as workshops, posters, and cards can help improve campus culture. View and download materials on healthy relationships, sexual assault prevention, high-risk drinking, and more are now available here.
IN THE NEWS
  
For more news clips, visit Stay Connected on the NCSSLE website!
RECENT RESEARCH
 
Griffin, K.A. & Gilbert, C.K. (January/February 2015)
The Journal of Higher Education
 
Kearns, M.C., Reidy, D.E. & Valle, L.A. (January 2015) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Risk Factors Associated With Self-injurious Behavior Among a National Sample of Undergraduate College Students

Taliaferro, L.A. & Muehlenkamp, J.J. (January 2015) Journal of American College Health

 

Kirsch, D.J., Doerfler, L.A. & Truong, D. (January 2015) Journal of American College Health 

From Recreational to Functional Drug Use: The Evolution of Drugs in American Higher Education, 1960-2014

Aikins, R.D. (December 2014) History of Education: Journal of the History of Education Society

 

Laird, S.E. (December 2014) Ph.D. Dissertation, Kansas State University
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES
  
Webinars 

Addressing Gender-Based Violence on Campus: Title IX's Civil Rights Approach  
Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 2-3:00 PM ET

Participants in this webinar will learn the basics of Title IX's civil rights approach to addressing gender-based violence; how this approach differs from criminal law-based approaches; and the first steps professionals and their institutions should take to fulfill Title IX's equality mandate. To learn more about this webinar, click here.

Title IX: Identifying & Training Survivor Allies
Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 2-3:30 PM ET

The White House strongly recommends extensive prevention and awareness programs regarding sexual misconduct and related offenses. Survivor advocacy begins with identifying, educating and training campus employees to serve as survivor allies. This webinar will equip participants with the tools to best support survivors, as well as the necessary resources and instruction for creating an effective survivor ally training program for employees on campus. To learn more about this webinar, click here.


Code of Conduct Revisions: Compliance, Conduct & Campus Response
Thursday, January 29, 2015, 2-3:30 PM ET

Developing, or re-designing, a student code of conduct requires not only an understanding of the law and best practices in student development theory, but also the ability to write policies and procedures that are: specific, but general; firm, yet flexible; and encompassing, yet targeted.  This session will help participants develop mechanisms for effectively writing policies and procedures, and also do so in a way that participants will be able to adapt to the next set of mandated compliance changes. To learn more about this webinar, click here.


Supporting International Students: Transition, Integration & Retention
Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 2-3:30 PM ET

Trends indicate a need for additional support for international students attending colleges and universities in the United States. Recognizing the unique contribution of international students to the learning environment, this webinar will focus on strategies and programs designed to maximize international students' success. Participants will explore evidence-based best practices associated with international student persistence to graduation, as well as concrete recommendations on how these services and activities can be successfully implemented. To learn more about this webinar, click here.


Conferences 

 

NASPA Violence Prevention Conference

January 11-13, 2015, National Harbor, MD

NASPA, the organization for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, will be hosting their 2015 Violence Prevention Conference. The conference focuses on giving student affairs practitioners the tools to effectively address violence on campus through a variety of integrative approaches. To learn more about this event and to register, click here.

About NCSSLE's Higher Education e-Digest

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Higher Education e-Digest addresses campus and community engagement, health, safety, and security. Regular contents include news from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other federal partner agencies and organizations, salient research summaries, examples of effective field practices, announcements submitted by IHEs and other subscribers, and relevant upcoming events. The Higher Education e-Digest also highlights NCSSLE resources and the availability of ongoing services, including technical assistance, products, and tools. 

For More Information 
Visit http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov

Engagement | Safety | Environment
The Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. It is operated by the American Institutes for Research in collaboration with Child Trends; Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning; EMT Associates; the Silver Gate Group; and Vision Training Associates.
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