UIU selected to participate in national program to foster healthier and safer campuses

Upper Iowa University is proud to announce it has been selected to join with 13 other campuses as participants in the Healthy Masculinity Campus Athletics Project (HMCAP), a year-long initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence against Women Campus Technical Assistance and Resource Project. HMCAP positively engages male college athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators as influential leaders in the prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on college campuses and in their surrounding communities. Men Can Stop Rape, in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance, will facilitate the project.

Sports have long played a historical role in advancing social justice and cultural change – from racial integration to the Special Olympics to the advancement of female athletes. In a recent publication by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) entitled, “Addressing Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence: Athletics’ Role in Support of Healthy and Safe Campuses,” the authors assert that college coaches, student-athletes, athletic administrators, and athletic staff are uniquely positioned to play a key role in creating a safer campus climate. Their influence and leadership offer them the opportunity to play a visible role for the entire campus in promoting healthy prosocial norms tied to fostering healthy and safe colleges.

“UIU is continuously working within this spirit of leadership, advocacy, and education to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking not only within athletics, but across the entire University,” said Danielle Cushion, assistant athletic director for student-athlete services.

As part of HMCAP, UIU representatives will attend an intensive three-day training emphasizing athletics’ leadership on social justice issues and how male athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators can role model the prosocial norms of healthy masculinity to foster healthier and safer campuses. The representatives will return to implement the Healthy Masculinity curriculum as well as develop an action plan during the three days that addresses both prevention and response strategies. Throughout the length of the project, UIU will receive technical assistance and support in developing these strategies.

The 13 other colleges participating in HMCAP include Wheaton College, St. Johns University, Utah State University, Juniata College, University of Toledo, Loyola University, College of Mt. Saint Vincent, Goucher College, University of Idaho, Doane University, Georgian Court University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, The College of New Jersey.