Butler University is honored to join a distinguished group of 12 colleges and universities from across North America in the eighth cohort of NASPA’s Culture of Respect Collective. This initiative gathers higher education institutions committed to eliminating campus sexual violence—a critical issue facing college campuses.

Since its inception, the Collective has welcomed over 160 institutions, with this year’s members including notable names such as American University, Bucknell University, and Vassar College. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of addressing sexual violence with proven strategies and shared knowledge.

NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, which spearheads the Culture of Respect, is a pivotal force in the student affairs profession. Offering extensive professional development, advocacy, and research, NASPA supports over 15,000 members in 50 states and internationally.

“We are thrilled to be selected for the Culture of Respect Collective,” Dr. Frank E. Ross, Vice President for Student Affairs at Butler University, said as he expressed his enthusiasm about joining the initiative. “Our ongoing efforts center on providing comprehensive support services for survivors of sexual violence, including crisis intervention and advocacy. Participating in this NASPA initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to continuously enhance our response and prevention strategies.”

The Collective employs a robust public health framework, encouraging cross-campus collaboration and peer-led learning to evaluate and improve current strategies. This method has been shown to be a flexible and effective model that facilitates critical work in addressing campus sexual violence comprehensively.

Butler’s efforts in the Collective will be spearheaded by a diverse team of over 20 individuals, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators. This team is led by Jules Grable, Director of Student Advocacy, and Katie Wood, Health Promotion Specialist. They are poised to drive Butler’s proactive measures to new heights.

“We are so excited to engage in this initiative, which will support us in taking our sexual violence response and prevention efforts to the next level,” said Grable and Wood. “By joining this Collective, Butler reaffirms its dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community.”

As Butler University moves forward with this prestigious cohort, the University is set on a path not only to confront and mitigate sexual violence but also to lead by example in creating safer, more supportive educational environments. This initiative will allow Butler to further solidify its role as a leader in student well-being, aligning with our deepest values of respect and dignity for all.