SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: NOW-NYC

The letter to the left is the support letter that the National Organization of Women-NYC Chapter wrote to the taskforce recently in support of a CUNY-wide policy that is created through student input and prevention focused. Below is the text of the letter:

March 2, 2009

Dear Senior Vice Chancellor Schaffer,

I am writing to you on behalf of the National Organization for Women in New York City (NOWNYC). As an organization that has a long history of being an advocate for sexual assault victims, we applaud your commitment to establish a CUNY-wide sexual assault policy.

As you may know, the National College Women Sexual Victimization study estimates that 20 to 25% of college women are victims of actual or attempted sexual assault during their college years. A sexual assault policy that is created in partnership with students, focused on prevention and transparency, is essential if the number of sexual assaults in colleges is going to be reduced.

Let me reiterate that it is crucial that you include students as you embark on this process. As the end users, students are bound to highlight any inefficiencies in the drafting process and will help create a meaningful policy. An integrative approach can thus only result in the most effective policy.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance throughout this process.

Best Regards,

Sonia Ossorio,

President, NOW-NYC

CC: Vice Chancellor Moore

Sexual Assault Task Force

Become involved! Email us at cunypolicy08@gmail.com. We currently have an immediate need for:

* Organizations and individuals to endorse our cause (willing to sign a letter of support)
* Organizations and individuals to join Students for a Greater CUNY as a member
* A tech-savvy person that is good with website building
* Skilled writers to chronicle CUNY's progress for the students on blogs and through campus media
* Student leaders or organizations that will facilitate setting up 3 town hall meetings within the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn, so public opinions can be heard on the draft of the policy.