Incoming University of Iowa students receive various forms of education on topics surrounding gender-based violence and discrimination.

Read about the education opportunities below:

Sexual Violence Prevention for Students (Parts 1 & 2)

All incoming undergraduate and transfer students are required to complete an online sexual violence prevention course in two parts. These courses are part of a larger credit course called Success at Iowa. Students receive two credit hours for completing the entire Success at Iowa course during their first semester at The University of Iowa. The Sexual Violence Prevention for Students programs are interactive online program designed to help students protect themselves and others from sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and dating/domestic violence, as well as form healthy relationships. The program also focuses on bystander intervention skills to help students feel empowered to speak up and intervene to prevent potentially violent situations from occurring. Students learn what constitutes sexual misconduct, how to intervene when they see it, and what resources are available if it happens to them or someone that they know. The program incorporates various interactive videos and real-life stories. Additional violence prevention booster materials are available below under the toolkit.

Sexual Violence Prevention for Students Toolkit

• Activities for Anyone
• Faculty Toolkit
• Student Organization Toolkit
• RA Toolkit
• Support Materials

Graduate Sexual Violence Prevention for Students

All incoming graduate and professional students are required to take an online course which educates students on gender-based violence and discrimination and bystander intervention. Students who do not complete the mandatory program have a hold placed on their registration until they complete the course.

On Iowa! Choose Curriculum

All incoming undergraduate students are required to attend the Choose session during On Iowa! During the Choose session students learn additional information about gender-based violence and discrimination and bystander intervention. This session engages students in a variety of hands on and interactive learning experiences to better enhance their skills, knowledge, and resources surrounding topics of gender-based violence and discrimination as they enter the University of Iowa.

Hawk Talks

Hawk Talks are 20-25 minute, one on one conversations that Resident Assistants (RA’s) have with each resident living in their residential community. These discussions cover a variety of topics throughout the academic year and one focuses on violence prevention. For example, the spring 2021 Hawk Talk provided education about sexual exploitation using a non-gendered scenario example. Students learn about how they can support a friend who has experienced sexual misconduct, campus and community resources, and the role of the Title IX office in providing support and making a report to the university.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Violence Prevention Education for Fraternities and Sororities

Fraternity and Sorority Life Programs (FSLP) at the University of Iowa (UI) prides itself on providing the premier student development experience. To allow for a space for students to develop holistically, FSLP recognizes the importance providing exclusive educational opportunities for members that non-affiliated students may not engage with. In collaboration with multiple campus partners, members of fraternities and sororities continue their learning outside of the classroom. Fraternity and Sorority Life students advocated for providing additional violence prevention education to fraternity and sorority students and the Violence Prevention Education curriculum outlined below was created based on student feedback. 

Level 1

In conjunction with the Women’s Resource Action Center, all New Members will have to complete Level 1 of Violence Prevention Education. It is required for New Members to complete this within 2 semesters (fall/spring) of joining, preferably the semester they joined. 

• Level 1: Enthusiastic Consent: This program discusses affirmative consent practices in a sex positive framework and offers students concrete examples of ways to incorporate enthusiastic consent into their lives. The program shows examples of what consent is not, talks about the ways we’re programmed from childhood not to expect consent, and includes small group work on how to ask for consent.

Level 2, 3, and 4

In conjunction with the Women’s Resource Action Center, all members in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years will need to complete the corresponding level of Violence Prevention Education within that year. It is required for members to complete this within 2 semesters (fall/spring) of (insert year) of membership (i.e. 2nd year members will be taking level 2). 

• Level 2: Dismantling Rape Culture: This session introduces participants to rape culture and rape supportive cultural norms. Participants will learn what rape culture is, see real world examples of rape culture portrayed in media, songs, and various social media sites, learn how rape supportive attitudes and beliefs are engrained in society, and learn how to safely confront these ideas and attitudes using bystander intervention techniques.
• Level 3: Healthy Relationships OR Bystander Intervention for Safer Communities
• Level 4: Healthy Relationships OR Bystander Intervention for Preventing Sexual Violence

Please contact Fraternity and Sorority Life Programs (uiowafsl@uiowa.edu) with any questions. 

Athletics

Per NCAA rules all student-athletes are required to attend sexual violence education annually.  All UI student-athletes will complete a myPlaybook Sexual Violence Prevention on-line educational module and attend a presentation.