For the seventh year in a row since its inception, Millersville University is one of 36 postsecondary institutions to be awarded a portion of the $1 million in grants as part of the Wolf administration’s “It’s On Us PA” campaign, which is aimed at addressing sexual assault on college campuses.
“We are thrilled to receive funding to bolster our current prevention and awareness programming,” says Millersville University Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Swantek.
The individual grants which totaled up to $60,000 each, were awarded to postsecondary institutions across the state, including community colleges, independent and public two-year and four-year colleges, and universities. The grants will be used to implement strategies on campuses that address the goals of the Governor’s “It’s On Us” PA campaign. Those goals include improving awareness, removing or reducing barriers that prevent survivors of sexual violence from reporting or accessing vital resources and demonstrating significant, proactive and sustainable leadership to change campus culture.
“With this grant, we will expand our prevention programs, provide additional training to support and respond to those impacted by sexual violence, train more individuals about bystander intervention through Green Dot and implement our very own Be the One to Speak Up campaign,” says Swantek.
Since 2016, the Wolf Administration awarded 225 “It’s On Us” PA Grants totaling nearly $6 million to post-secondary institutions across the state.
All the programs and trainings provided by the grant are free to students, faculty, and staff. Individuals are encouraged to sign up for a training or stop by a tabling event. There will also be a kick-off event this semester where there will be prizes, shirts and food.
“Our goal is to be proactive and create a culture of respect and responsibility at Millersville University,” says Swantek.