To improve college campus safety and prevent future sexual assaults from occurring, Indiana State University recently announced a new policy that bans student-athletes with a history of sexual violence.
The ban states:
“Any prospective student-athlete – whether a transfer student, incoming freshman, or other status – who has been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony involving sexual violence … or has been found responsible for sexual violence by a formal institutional disciplinary action at any previous collegiate or secondary school … shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition at Indiana University.”
Coaches, parents, teammates and teachers are expected to collaborate to ensure the policy is enforced. Additionally, the university will conduct thorough background checks and internet searches on prospective student-athletes. The purpose, as GoodNewsNetwork reports, is to prevent any students with “previous or potential arrests, convictions, protective orders, probations, suspensions, expulsions, or other discipline involving sexual violence or any other matter” from attending the university.
Because many college sports provide higher learning institutions with substantial income, universities have become notorious for prioritizing their athletes over the safety of their students. This is an issue, as student-athletes are responsible for a disproportionate amount of sexual violence on campuses in the U.S., according to PACT5. In effect, activists are applauding Indiana State University for banning student-athletes with histories of sexual assault, as the move is likely to improve the safety of the campus.
Hopefully, other universities will follow Indiana University’s example in the near future. What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
