By Annalisa Purser, communications specialist, University Marketing and Communications

During the coming months, the University of Utah will host a variety of events designed to acquaint students, faculty and staff with campus resources. The events focus on improving health and wellness, promoting a safe campus environment, connecting with safety officers, empowering students to advocate for their peers and more.

“We are committed to ensuring our students are successful in both their academic pursuits and with their personal goals while at the University of Utah,” said Lori McDonald, dean of students. “We hope students will take advantage of these events and the opportunity to learn about the vast array of resources available to them as students so they can make the most of their time here.”

Below are some of the safety-focused events that will be held at the U in the coming weeks:

Friends tell Friends First. Be the Friend that Knows What to Say Next.
Sept. 7, 2017 | 3-4 p.m.
Union Theater

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and the Office of the Dean of Students will review what support resources there are for responding to sexual misconduct, how and where to report it, and what happens during the investigation and adjudication process.

Wellness Advocate Training
Sept. 12, 19, 26 | 5-7 p.m.
Student Life Center Hub classroom

A wellness advocate supports students to lead healthier, safer lives. They understand that health and wellness are fundamentally important in our everyday lives. With a foundational knowledge about health issues affecting college students, they are able to listen to concerns, communicate basic information about wellness and refer students who are beyond their scope of information. Wellness advocates, even in a small way, can impact the health of their peers in regard to the many wellness areas that influence daily life. This free, non-credit, informal training for University of Utah students is offered through the Center for Student Wellness. To register, email wellness@sa.utah.edu or call 801-581-7776.

Bike Week: Lock it or Lose It
Sept. 14, 2017 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tanner Plaza at the Farmers Market

Register your bike with University of Utah Police and receive a free Kryptonite lock. Students must bring their UCard and their bike. Quantities are limited and will be distributed on a first come-first served basis. Since the U Police implemented this program four years ago, bike thefts on campus have been reduced approximately 67 percent.

Coffee with Cops – Start by Believing
Sept. 19, 2017 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Marriott Library Plaza

University of Utah Police and the Center for Student Wellness will provide free coffee and donuts for students on the Marriott Library Plaza, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The event gives students the opportunity to meet campus police and learn more about the Start by Believing campaign. The campaign is called Start by Believing because a friend or family member is typically the first person a victim confides in after a sexual assault. Knowing how to respond is critical because each individual’s personal reaction is the first step in a long path toward justice and healing. A negative response can worsen the trauma and foster an environment where perpetrators face zero consequences for their crimes. Students will be able to obtain resources and information from University of Utah Police, the Center for Student Wellness, Wasatch Forensic Nurses and the Rape Recovery Center.

Hazing Prevention Speaker – Rasheed Cromwell
Sept. 19, 2017 | 5:30 p.m. (open to campus) 7 p.m. (Greek-specific session)
Union, Saltaire Room

Rasheed Cromwell is one of the leading authorities on fraternity and sorority life on college campuses. In this presentation, “The Invisible Side of Hazing,” Cromwell will delve into real-life scenarios through a series of engaging interactive exercises. He will explore the conceptual and theoretical roots of hazing activities and provide positive alternative solutions. The session will engage participants with short-term and long-term solutions that members can use to curb destructive behavior and break the cyclic environment of negativity.

 Understanding Hazing – What Staff and Faculty Need to Know
Sept. 21, 2017 | 12-1 p.m.
Union Parlor B

All faculty and staff are invited to bring their lunch to this session to learn more about hazing. Presenters include Lori McDonald, dean of students, and Jess Turuc, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. They will cover what hazing is, consequences and ways to identify and intervene on this risky behavior and mindset. Those who are interested should RSVP.

University Student Apartments (USA) Block Party
Sept. 23, 2017 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
West Village Bowl

Students who live in the University Student Apartments are invited to attend the Block Party, which features information about campus departments and community resources. Additionally, the event includes games, food, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo and more.

It’s on Us Week
Sept. 25-28 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Marriott Library Plaza

The It’s on Us campaign is designed to encourage students to make a personal commitment to help keep the campus safe from sexual assault. It is a promise not to be a bystander, but to be part of the solution. ASUU will be handing out T-shirts, promoting bystander intervention training, and hosting groups from across campus that will be available to discuss the resources they offer.

Wellness Fair
Oct. 4, 2017 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Student Life Center

The Center for Student Wellness and the Campus Recreation Center will hold the annual Student Wellness Fair, where a variety of free wellness resources and screenings are offered. Some of these include flu shots and STD/HIV test (for students only), oral health exams, sun damage checks, blood pressure/glucose checks and more.

Bystander Intervention Training
Oct. 5, 2017 | 4-6 p.m., Student Life Center Hub classroom (students only)
Oct. 10, 2017 | 12-1 p.m., Student Services Building (faculty/staff only)

Bystander intervention training empowers students to intervene in and prevent potentially harmful situations. Standing up to de-escalate violence can be difficult, but each student at the U plays a valuable role in making campus a safer place. This free, two-hour training is designed to mobilize students, raise awareness and provide skills to recognize, intervene, prevent and/or stop inappropriate comments, actions and behaviors – with an emphasis on stopping interpersonal violence, rape and sexual assault. To register for a training, email wellness@sa.utah.edu or call 801-581-7776.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Classes
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2018 | 6-9 p.m.
Huntsman Center

The R.A.D. System (Rape Aggression Defense) is a comprehensive, 12-hour, women-only physical defense course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. The cost of the class is $25. To see additional class dates and to register online, visit dps.utah.edu/rad-class or contact Sgt. Heather Horstmeier at 801-587-8637.