Editor’s note: All opinions expressed in this article belong to their respective author. Check our section “Voices” dedicated to opinion pieces on AUI Chronicle. This piece was co-authored with Hiba Mezzyane.
Following the recent complaints and comments on the Student Community Facebook group, a wide debate was brought to the table about sexual harassment at AUI. Some claimed that it was a novelty since if there was anything to be proud of it would be the safety and the judge free zone campus provides for its students. In light of these events, many began to talk about the importance and the role of NOVA in addressing such issues.
NOVA: No Violence Alliance
In 2000, an initiative was born. Several AUI faculty members and executives gathered to launch the No violence alliance. Their main goal was to raise awareness on the issue of sexual awareness among AUI students. Several workshops and activities were organized during the NOVA week. Students, staff, and faculty were all mobilized to ensure a better campus experience for students and to contribute to their personal development since they will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Among the activities organized were self-defense classes, documentaries, artistic presentations in collaboration with the drama club, keynote speakers were invited, and Q&A sessions were organized. These activities were not only important in the integration of the AUI culture, but it also legitimized the movement and made it normal for victims of sexual harassment to speak up with no fear.
After 19 years of resilience, AUI succeeded in fostering the idea of a safe campus where all students are to be held accountable when laws are transgressed. AUI became a safe bubble in the middle of a very hostile environment.
Where is it now?
On the 20th of July, the student community received the news of the ceasing activity of NOVA on campus. This created apprehension among students that used to see NOVA as a backing mechanism through their physical and psychological support thanks to their counselors. To get more insight on the Alliance’s activities, its goal, and where it stands currently in addition to the issues it faced, we interviewed a member of the Nova alliance and an ex-chair, Reverend Karen Thomas Smith.
According to Karen Smith, one of the issues that the institution faced was the non-availability of any chair. There was no clear vision or goal that would serve as a framework for their activities. NOVA was to deal with sexual harassment cases through a special adjudication team rather than through regular disciplinary means. For its members, NOVA must be restructured and institutionalized where fixed positions should be created, empowered, and established. Volunteers from the student body or faculty can still operate but the entity should not be based on volunteering only. Additionally, an office should be established on campus that will guide and provide support for students from an administrative and psychological point of view. However, the confidentiality of the victims should be kept and respected.
The reverend assured that NOVA will be able to operate again but only if restructured and a fixed staff and faculty are appointed. In fact, she claims that volunteers are still ready to work. and students’ mobilization is much needed.
Urgent need for an institution
Among this week’s events, the SAO decided to organize a sexual awareness campaign from the 20th to the 26th of October. Its activities included a movie night, guest speakers, an open mic, a hike, and a Karaoke night. While all these events are deemed to be useful to shed light on such issues, we believe that a focus on the implementation of much stricter laws and regulations would be more impactful. Therefore, the need for a well-institutionalized entity is now crucial more than ever.
Additionally, the university must work on its laws and regulation to ensure proper law enforcement in case of any transgressions. Although NOVA might have been proved to be useful when raising awareness, AUI needs a strong and sustainable institution that handles cases where students’ rights are put forward. These issues must be put clear as the university’s top priorities and included in its strategic planning. Student life does not only imply clubs and organizations but safety and inclusion as well. All students must feel safe and well protected. AUI must concentrate on providing a safe space where all students can speak up and hold any transgressors accountable.
We have long spoken about AUI’s intolerance and unacceptance of such behaviors. However, we must not turn a blind eye to the fact that there is no clear guidance for students who are put in such despicable situations. Some might argue against claiming that the DSA is to handle these cases, considering the student life aspect. Having said that, the treatment of harassment cases remain noninstitutionalized and unstructured. There is no clear legal framework that organizes it. A lack of the latter might stop students from speaking up about the existence of such cases and not treat the problem from its roots.
Finally, one can suggest the restoration of a like-NOVA institution, ensuring its binding nature. Such an entity would be given the right power to continue providing a safe space for all students, considering AUI’s mission and identity. In fact, efficient management would make a great impact on the community where all harassment cases are taken seriously and acted upon.
