Park University is continuing to combat sexual assault on campus by requiring training for all students, faculty and staff. The training will focus on compliance with the Title IX federal law that regulates sexual discrimination and gender equality in education.

In September, Park staff and officers from the Parkville Police Department participated in a panel to discuss Title IX and reporting practices on campus for sexual assault.

Park University President David Fowler attended the panel.

“I want to demonstrate how important this topic is and how important it is that we get it right,” said Fowler at the event Sept. 19. “I stand behind this education, this information and I stand behind enforcement to protect all of our students.”

In October, Fowler sent a campus-wide email highlighting an upcoming Title IX training that would be required for all students, faculty and staff. Roger Dusing, associate vice president and chief human resources officer and Title IX coordinator, was an included correspondent of the email.

Also included in the email was an attached copy of the Park University Prevention of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence: Title IX Policy.

“It is important that each member of our faculty, staff and student body be familiar with and follow this policy,” stated the email from Oct. 14. “We ask you to read the policy carefully and ask questions when necessary.”

On Nov. 18, Dusing issued an email to all Park University students with specific training information. A link to the site and instructions were provided.

According to the email all students are required to complete the video training by March 31, 2015.

Other informative videos on the site, such as “Healthy Relationships and Dating Violence” and “Lasting Choices: Preventing Sexual Assault” are not mandatory to view but were encouraged.

To complete the training, incentives have been offered. Students who complete the course by Dec. 18 will be entered into a drawing for two Wal-Mart gift cards worth $100 each.

As of Dec. 1, about 200 of the roughly 12,600 active students completed their training.

Park is also training its faculty and staff. Employees are required to complete two courses. One course is similar to the 10 to 15 minute online course students are required to take, the second is about 90 minutes of additional training.

Employees are required to complete these courses by Dec. 31, 2014.

Of the near 2,400 faculty and staff, 13 to 14 percent have completed the training, Dusing said.

“The goal is to have all staff fully trained…by 12-31,” said Dusing. “And then students, we’re giving them a little extra time.”

Mahathi Koutha, who is pursuing a Master’s Degree in international business, has already completed the course.

“It was good…it took no more than 20 minutes,” she said. “It’s beneficial.”

Koutha did suggest that the national hotline phone numbers, which are provided in the course, be emailed to students for easier access.

“You cannot remember all the hotlines,” she said. “And everyone depends on smartphones today.”

According to Dusing, the feedback has been more positive than negative.

“The feedback has been okay,” he said. “It’s been good. (The courses are) well done, they’re interactive.”

Dusing said he plans to send one more email before the end of the fall semester to remind students to take the course. In the spring, emails will only be sent to those who have not taken the course.

“I haven’t taken it yet but I do know that I have to,” said Justin Baas, junior criminal justice major. “I’ve been at work a lot and I kind of forgot about it so the multiple emails were kind of helpful.”

Baas said he is aware of the purpose of the training.

“I think it’s a good idea but I think it’s not (enough),” he said. “I have a feeling it’s not going to do enough for those that are a concern.”

Dusing said he doesn’t want the Title IX training to become a “punishment” and he said he hopes students and employees will take time to complete it.

“It’s not fun but it’s not horrid,” said Dusing. “(We) need 15 minutes of your time, that’s all it is going to take to watch this video.”

Title IX and courses alike are here to stay. Each active student will be required to take a course each academic year.

“It may not be the same thing, but yes, everybody, every student faculty and staff has to be trained every year,” said Dusing.

Dusing wants to emphasize the importance in providing your Park ID number when you register for the course. The ID is how Dusing knows who has completed the course and who has not.

To register and start the course visit: www.edurisklearning.org/pe/register/include/processlogin.jsp.